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Sealcoating is one of the best maintenance tasks you can do if you want your asphalt driveway to look good and perform well for decades. This protective coating must be reapplied every few years, but the process is relatively simple.
Preparation
Cleaning and patching are the main preparation needs. The only thing you need to do is mow the lawn the day before sealcoating so there won't be any grass clippings on the driveway until after the sealcoat completely cures. Your sealcoating service will come out and deep clean the asphalt. This involves removing loose debris, such as tree leaves and surface grit, as well as using a pressure washer or steamer to remove deeper residue such as mildew or automotive fluids.
Once clean and dry, the next step is to repair small issues. Although sealcoating will fill in hairline cracks and very small chips, larger cracks and potholes must be patched with an asphalt patching compound. Small damage can be repaired the day of sealcoating, while larger problems like potholes may be repaired a day or two in advance so the patch has time to cure.
Application
The application process for a driveway typically takes less than a day, and a small driveway can be completed in a couple of hours. The first step is applying a tack coat. This is an adhesive-like coating that is painted onto the driveway. It helps create a strong bond between the asphalt below and the sealcoat that is applied on top.
The sealant is then poured onto the center of the driveways. The installers will then use an application tool to pull the coating out toward the edges of the drive. This technique allows them to apply the coating evenly to the entire driveway without it running off onto the neighboring lawn and landscaping. Generally, only one thick coat of sealant is applied.
After-Care
Your installers will provide you with an accurate timeline for staying off of the freshly sealcoated driveway according to current weather conditions.
For the first couple of weeks after installation, avoid setting anything heavy on the driveway. Your installers may also recommend lightly watering the sealcoating to ensure it cures at an even rate, particularly if it is very hot and sunny. Generally, this simply means lightly spraying down the driveway as directed by the contractors.
Contact an asphalt sealcoating service if you would like to learn more.
Share21 June 2023
