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8/7/2017 21 Comments

Asphalt Driveway Maintenance

You should seal asphalt driveway spaces periodically for best results. There are many differing opinions about the frequency of the sealing. Some people say every year, while others say once every 10 years.
​If you are trying to determine when to seal your driveway, here are a few factors to consider.
As NeededThe first thing that you need to understand that every driveway is different. Therefore, the first place that you should go for information is your individual driveway. If it looks like it is cracking and is not sealed, then you need to seal it with a good asphalt sealer. However, you will want to make sure that you do not seal a new asphalt driveway within 6 months of initially installing it. This will give the materials in the asphalt time to set up properly before being sealed.
ClimateOne big factor in determining how often to seal your asphalt is the climate in which you live. If you live in a very moderate climate that never changes, you should be able to last around three to four years. If it freezes in the winter and gets over 100 in the summer, then you should seal it every one to two years.
How To
Sealing a driveway isn’t a difficult task in and of itself, but without doing the necessary preparation before applying the sealer, your project can very easily go wrong, and you can find yourself with an improper seal.
Putting a sealant over an asphalt driveway keeps out moisture, keeps large cracks from forming, and is a general form of preventative maintenance. If done well, a proper sealcoating can penetrate pre-existing cracks to seal them before they expand and can even improve the overall appearance of asphalt to a point where it looks like new.
Step 1 – Inspect the SurfaceStart by first taking a good look at your driveway surface. The surface can be marred by everything from bird poop and oil stains to cracks and potholes. You’re going to want get these out before putting on any sealant. These can cause the sealant to be less effective.
Step 2 – Address the StainsSweep away any large, dry debris using a broom or a hose. Lingering stains from oil and other tough substances will require a little more elbow grease. Warm water, soap, and a scrub brush should be enough to wash most driveways. You may need to apply a de-greaser for some oil stains
Step 3 – Repair CracksThe next obstacle is cracks. You must fill in cracks prior to sealing and also allow enough time for the filler to dry. Smaller cracks can usually be taken care of with a liquid sealer. However, larger cracks will need asphalt repair caulk and may need more than one application. During the drying process, the caulk loses moisture and may shrink. A second application will make it flush with the driveway surface.
Step 4 – Fill PotholesPotholes are much larger and severe than any cracks, and no amount of asphalt caulk is going to take be enough to fix a pothole.
Instead, you’re going to need to use cold patch or quick concrete patching product for actual asphalt repair. It’s basically ready-to-use asphalt and simply needs to be shoveled and compacted into the hole. As easy as the cold patch makes the process, you still may need to do it more than once, as settling can cause the surface to shift so it is no longer flush with the rest of the driveway.
Step 5 – Choose the Right Window to ApplyYou’re going to need two or three days of good sunny weather both prior to application and during your sealcoating. It takes a while for the seal to properly dry, and any amount of rain will erode at the sealant and eventually wash it away.
Step 6 – Choose a Sealant VarietyThere are four types of sealant available: tar emulsion, asphalt-emulsion, latex-acrylic, and rubber sealant with titanium fortification.
Tar EmulsionTar emulsion is cheap, but it’s hard to apply and needs constant stirring to prevent solidification when not being applied.
Asphalt-emulsionThis option is a little more expensive, but it is the most popular option for homeowners. Asphalt-emulsion lasts longer than tar and provides better protection.
Latex-acrylicLatex-acrylic provides even better protection and dries faster, but it’s also expensive, usually more than double that of an asphalt-emulsion sealer.
Rubber with TitaniumThe absolute best option for sealcoating asphalt is a liquid rubber sealer with titanium fortification. This kind of sealer costs about $500 for 5 gallons, compared with $65 for 2 gallons of the latex-acrylic.
Step 7 – Apply the SealRegardless of which sealer you choose, they are all generally applied the same way. You’ll need a specialized tool that has a long handle and a squeegee and one end and a brush at the other. Pour about a foot-long strip of sealant onto the pavement, use the squeegee to spread it, and the brush to make it even. Start at one end and work your way to the other. Some sealer types can be applied with a paint roller if you prefer that way.
Let it set for about 12 hours to dry and then apply a second layer. Keep people, pets, and vehicles off of the asphalt for at least a day so that any additional coats can dry properly.
21 Comments
Daphne Gilpin link
7/17/2019 10:01:06 am

Thanks for explaining that we should wait six months after having an asphalt driveway installed to have it sealcoated. My husband and I want to have an asphalt driveway put in soon. Your article made me feel prepared to talk with the paving contractors about sealcoating!

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Ron Booker link
8/6/2019 03:20:34 pm

I like that you said that asphalt-emulsion protects better than tar and last longer. My parent's driveway is starting to develop cracks and they were thinking about fixing it. I'm going to let them know about asphalt benefits on fixing potholes, cracks, and ruts.

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Kate Welling link
8/8/2019 06:38:57 pm

I was really interested to learn that seal coating can penetrate pre-existing cracks. This would be nice because it would upkeep your current driveway. I'll look for a landscaping company that can help me with maintaining my current driveway so that it doesn't get worse.

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Dyaln Peterson link
8/26/2019 12:54:34 pm

I appreciate how you said that you need to get your driveway sealed if there are any cracks in the asphalt. My sister has been telling me about a crack that has been steadily expanding in her driveway, and I think this information could be beneficial for her. I'll be sure to pass this article along to her so that she can look further into her options for professionals who will be able to help her with her driveway.

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Jay Jorgenson link
8/28/2019 03:52:48 pm

My dad's driveway has a few cracks. I like how you mention to not seal a new asphalt driveway within 6 months of being installed. Thank you for the advice. I'll contact a professional to repair my dad's driveway.

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Derek McDoogle link
9/3/2019 10:20:34 am

I found it interesting when you said that putting a sealant over an asphalt driveway keeps out moisture and keeps large cracks from forming. My neighbor likes to fix his cars in his driveway and due to all the tools and oil spilled the asphalt is damaged. I will recommend him to contact a professional so they can help him get his driveway asphalt fixed.

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Ellie Davis link
9/13/2019 09:12:55 am

I liked that you mentioned you should seal asphalt driveway spaces periodically as part of driveway maintenance. My father is looking for advice about how to give maintenance to our driveway since we found cracks in it. I will let him know about your recommendations to make our driveway look beautiful again.

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David Johnson link
9/26/2019 02:23:43 pm

I didn't know potholes are more severe than cracks. My driveway hasn't been repaired in years and it's damaged my car a bit. I'll have to look into asphalt repair.

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Eileen Benson link
10/24/2019 02:10:00 pm

Thanks for explaining that asphalt driveways in moderate climates only need to sealed every three or four years. My home currently has a gravel driveway, but I like the idea of hiring a paving service to put in an asphalt one within the next couple of months. Your article was helpful because now I know how to care for an asphalt driveway to extend its lifespan!

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Ron Booker link
11/1/2019 08:20:23 am

I like that you said that putting a sealant over an asphalt driveway helps you keep out moisture and large cracks for floating. My driveway is starting to develop cracks. I'm going to talk to my wife about fixing it.

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Tyson Coolidge link
12/17/2019 08:02:18 am

It's awesome that sealcoating can penetrate pre-existing cracks to stop them from expanding. My brother has been telling me about some cracks that he found in his driveway the other day. I'll share this informaiton with him so that he can look into his options for professionals who can help him with some sealcoating.

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Johnny McCarron link
1/15/2020 02:28:22 pm

Ah, thank you so much for explaining how to maintain asphalt. As an anniversary gift, I'd like to pay for my parents to upgrade from their dirt driveway. I'd like to hire specialists to come in and give them a nice new asphalt driveway.

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kate hansen link
3/5/2020 11:45:07 am

It's good to know that you can prevent large cracks and moisture in your driveway when sealing asphalt. My husband and I are wanting to get our driveway replaced in the next couple of weeks because it is sinking and has a ton of cracks and we want to get it replaced with an asphalt driveway. We'll make sure to keep these maintenance tips in mind once we find a company that can pave one for our home!

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Greta James link
5/26/2020 12:06:58 pm

Thank you so much for informing me that seal coating can help prevent additional damage and improve the aesthetic of the surface. Yesterday, I drove past my local church, and I noticed that the parking lot is cracked and there are weeds growing in it. I will have to talk to them about getting parking lot maintenance.

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Alicia Byrne link
6/5/2020 10:25:37 pm

It's great that you point out that potholes cannot be repaired by using asphalt caulk alone. My husband just noted some cracks on my neighbour's driveway when we visited last week. We should probably let them know and ask them to have it repaired soon before it worsens and becomes potholes which are harder to repair.

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Asphalt Repairs Auckland link
6/19/2020 04:31:00 am

Asphalt driveway maintenance is really interesting thing to learn about. I have got to know a lot from your blog. Thanks for your information. One must check this solidcivilsurfaces.co.nz/ it gives us more info on this topic.

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Earthmovers link
9/8/2020 07:58:28 am

The concept is very good which give us information regarding the best asphalt driveway maintenance. It is a pleasure worth reading this article. I enjoyed reading this article and would suggest others to come In this particular blog and get all the information regarding it.If possible visit this website Earthmovingandcivil.co.nz to gain more idea or tips on the same.

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Rebecca Gardner link
2/16/2021 02:18:51 pm

I was surprised when you explained how much recommendations can vary about how often to seal coat your driveway. My husband and I want to have our dirt driveway upgraded to asphalt this summer. I'm glad I read your article so we can ask whatever asphalt company we choose about seal coating frequency to get a specific answer.

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Fencing Tauranga link
2/23/2021 04:38:37 am

Thank you for sharing this information about asphalt driveway maintenance. It was useful and interesting. You indeed have written it in a layman way so that anyone can understand and work accordingly. You have done a great job... Great post!!

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landscaping Chch link
3/1/2021 04:13:32 am

It’s a great source of knowledge; I think it will be helpful for lot of people who are looking for asphalt driveway maintenance . Thank you very much for sharing this article, this is really helpful for me, thanks again and looking for more in future!

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Taylor Hicken link
4/1/2021 11:11:41 pm

I appreciated it when you shared that it is important to seal your driveway with a good asphalt sealer if it looks like it is cracking and not sealed. My uncle just mentioned the other that he has noticed that his driveway is no longer in good condition due to lack of maintenance. I will suggest to him looking for a reliable service that can offer to seal coating it with a great sealant.

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    Marissa M.

    Business Administration
    ​University of Arkansas

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