When should I seal my Driveway?

Whether it’s for parking cars, playing basketball, or creating chalk masterpieces, one thing remains the same: you need your driveway functional. Asphalt accumulates wear and tear at a faster rate than many other materials. The good news is, there’s a pretty easy solution to protecting your driveway from damage.

Sealing your driveway is a cost-effective, efficient way to ensure a long life for your driveway. Driveway sealant prevents damage from water, the sun, weather erosion, and a number of other damaging factors. With just a few simple steps, sealing your driveway is a do-it-yourself project that keeps your driveway ready for usage both practical and fun. One of the products we have used in the past that has worked well is Aquaphalt. This permanent asphalt repair product can be used for potholes, driveways, and roads.

Before sealing your driveway, however, make sure there are no other factors that are contributing to cracks or sinkholes in your driveway. If you need help making sure there are no deeper problems contributing to driveway damage, contact Just Maintenance for advice and guidance on driveway care.

Once you know sealing is the right choice for your driveway, there are four main steps to completing a driveway seal:

1.  Gather all the necessary supplies—sealant, proper brushes, asphalt repair (if needed), crack sealers (if needed), gloves, safety glasses, etc.

2.  Prepare your driveway for sealing by thoroughly cleaning it. Get rid of all weeds, degrease the surface, and power wash the asphalt for maximum effectiveness from the sealant.

3.  Repair all cracks and holes in your asphalt before sealing. You cannot seal a damaged driveway; sealant acts as a protectant against future damage, not a treatment to current damage. As mentioned above, we have found the product Aquaphalt to be helpful.

4.  Once your driveway is clean and filled-in, you are ready to apply the sealant. Follow the directions on your sealant for both application and post-application care.

And you’re done! With a little time and effort into sealing your driveway every 1-3 years, you can maintain a smooth, sturdy asphalt surface all on your own.