Constantly exposed to environmental elements, such as UV radiation, rain, and snow, the asphalt driveway can wear faster than expected.
It is subject to daily wear-and-tear due to traffic load, and chemical and oil spills. These factors pose a grave threat to your asphalt driveway. But while these are unavoidable, you can minimize their potential impact with proper maintenance.
One of the best ways to preserve your asphalt is through sealcoating. A properly sealed and well-kept asphalt pavement can appear aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound for a long time. It can help prevent premature damage to your asphalt driveway. Sealcoating will cost you but it’s a worthwhile investment.
However, when it comes to sealcoating, proper installation is crucial. You don’t just buy a sealer and pour or spray it all over the pavement. Sealcoating contractors at ABC Paving emphasized that the proper of the asphalt driveway is paramount. A well-prepared and cleaned driveway ensures that the sealer adheres properly.
Here are the somes tips on how to sealcoat an asphalt driveway.
Choose the right day
When it comes to sealcoating, favorable weather is vital. Whether you’re applying the sealer DIY or hiring a sealcoating contractor, you need to check the weather forecast for the next couple of days. Ideally, you should choose a day during summer when the chances of rain are low. Rain can delay the driveway preparation and sealcoat application. It can even cause the sealer to be washed off before it is set fully.
Assemble all materials
You want to avoid any delays during the sealcoat application to ensure homogeneity. The lack of supplies and materials is a common cause of delay. Hence, you want to assemble all materials before you even start.
Measure the dimensions of the driveway to help you estimate the materials you will need. Get the square footage to determine how much sealer is required. Typically, the coverage rate is 1 gallon of sealer per 100 sq. ft.
Clean the driveway
Before you start sealing, thoroughly clean the driveway. Use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep away grass, leaves, debris, dirt, pebbles, and loose aggregate. They can get stuck in your bristles and cause unwanted markings or poor asphalt adherence. If you have a high-powered blower, it can help further remove fine sand and other tiny debris.
Remove vegetation like grass or weeds that might have grown in potholes and cracks over the edges of the driveway.
Use a power washer to remove residue from dirt, cleaning solutions, and other chemicals. After washing, let the surface dry. You can manually remove them or use a trowel. Do this a day before the sealcoat application.
Use degreaser
The outermost layer of asphalt is particularly vulnerable to oil and chemical spills. If not cleaned right away, these compounds can have a long-term effect on your pavement. Identify areas where spills are most common. Use a professional-grade degreaser to remove spills. Aside from preserving the deep black appearance of asphalt, it will also help the sealer adhere to asphalt better.
Repair cracks and potholes
You don’t want to seal an asphalt driveway with cracks and potholes. This will ensure a smooth and even finish when sealcoating. After cleaning, fill up cracks and potholes. Use asphalt patch and follow the directions for application. However, if the driveway has extensive pothole damage or cracks, you might need to have it checked by a professional driveway sealcoating contractor. They can recommend appropriate repair like using a vibrating plate compactor or repairing the base layer.
Allow driveway to cure properly
For best results, apply sealer once the asphalt has cured completely. Typically, it will take at least six months with one summer season for bitumen to fully set. Asphalt has an unstable composition and needs to settle well for effective sealcoating.
Proper preparation for the driveway sealing will ensure the best result. Make sure to follow these tips above. Take note that sealcoating projects can take time (a couple of days to a week. Hence, you need enough time to work on such a project. If you don’t have any spare time, it might be best to ask the help of sealcoating contractors.