DRIVEWAY SEALING

Sealing facts

Sealer manufacturers and asphalt contractors agree that most asphalt driveways only need to be sealed about every three years. The exception would be in harsh regions, or when the asphalt turns gray. Graying indicates that the surface is oxidizing and loosing the binder that holds the aggregate in the asphalt.

Seal coating an asphalt driveway every three years not only will make it look better, it actually will make it last longer. Sealing shields paving from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, which can deteriorate the binder and expose the aggregate. Seal coating also prevents water and ice from getting into the paving and causing it to crack and or crumble.

Cut-Rate Driveway Sealing There's a knock on the door and you're greeted by a guy with a pickup towing an impressive asphalt-sealing rig. He says he has leftover sealing material from shooting several nearby driveways, and he'll give you a great price to shoot yours — but only if he can do it right now.

It's a bad idea because: Resealing a driveway takes prep work this guy isn't telling you about. To do the job right, the driveway should be properly cleaned before the sealer is applied. As any competent contractor will tell you, applying the seal coating is the last step in the process, not the first.

How soon after installation can a new asphalt/blacktop driveway be sealed?

We recommend you wait at least 4 to 6 months prior to sealing to allow it to fully cure and weather.

How soon after sealing can I drive on my blacktop driveway?

Under most conditions you can drive on your driveway 48 hours after the last coat is finished. Normally you can "walk" on your driveway within 24 hours. There are a few issues to note that affect dry time: 1) Areas in full shade will take longer than areas in full sun. 2) Cooler temperatures and higher humidity can add up to 12 hours to the full cure time. 3) Driveways with many cracks take longer; the more cracks and the deeper the cracks, the longer it takes to cure. 4) Thicker coats slow dry time.

HOW TO DETERMINE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF YOUR DRIVEWAY

Simply multiply the width of your driveway by its length. Example: a driveway 12 feet wide by 25 feet long would be 300 total sq feet

What services can be included?

Something to keep in mind are the types of services that can be included when getting a company to seal your driveway. A good quality sealing company will offer the following services.

- Crack Filling
- Power Washing
- Fixing Minor holes
- Priming Oil Spots
- Pressman Enterprises also offers edging and trimming services of weeds at a small additional charge. While others will require that you have it done before they arrive.

What services ARE included by: Pressman Enterprises

** Cleaning, is essential prior to applying seal coat. Pressman Enterprises will use an industrial blower to rid the driveway of dirt and debris. Any remaining debris will be swept up and disposed of.

** Seal Coating is done by hand ... not by a spray on machine that has a tendency of missing areas.

I only use top of line seal coater that also fills in the smaller cracks and holes.
** Roping off the driveway areas with caution tape to help prevent walking or driving on your newly sealed driveway.

How often should you have your driveway sealed?

Technically you could have your driveway sealed every year if you wanted to. Although most of the time it isn't really needed that often. There is some debate on just how often your driveway should be sealed.

The standard amount of time is every 3 years. Keep in mind that this all depends on the condition of the driveway itself. A well maintained driveway could last 5-10 years before needing to be resealed again. An older driveway with higher traffic could need resealing every 2 years or less.

I highly recommend Power Washing your driveway every year to help maintain your driveway and extend the life of your sealing and driveway.

New Asphalt Driveways

Freshly laid asphalt driveways need time to cure and harden properly. It’s recommended that you wait at least 4 to 6 months before applying any seal coating products to your new driveway

Why You Should Seal Your Asphalt Driveway

An asphalt driveway is nothing more than small stones and fine sand or gravel mixed together with black asphalt cement. That asphalt cement is what holds everything together.

When an asphalt driveway is first laid its dark black and smooth. Right from day one the elements are all ready starting to take a toll on your driveways finish. The sun slowly starts to turn, that black finish to a dull gray.

With the changing of the seasons and temperatures your driveway will expand and contract. This expansion and contraction combined with the suns UV rays with cause the asphalt to become more brittle and less flexible. Over time this will cause small hairline type cracks to appear.

Those cracks if left untreated will allow water to seep in and create further damage to the asphalt as well as the foundation below.

A Protective Coating

Sealing your driveway is like sealing your deck or waxing your car. The sealant fills in those tiny cracks and provides a protective layer to the surface of your driveway. This not only protects against water seepage but also from the elements and various automotive fluids.

Motor oil is especially harmful to your driveway as it weakens the bonds in the asphalt cement and leaves the effected area more vulnerable to cracking.