Sealing the cracked asphalt driveway

Sealing the cracked asphalt driveway

So you got up this morning and decided to take care of your faded, pitted, and somewhat cracked driveway.

Isn't it simple enough? You may get started by purchasing sealer from your local home improvement store. Not so fast; it will need some thought and preparation to execute it properly and with satisfaction.

Let's start with hiring a contractor to complete the work for you. Here are some suggestions for choosing a driveway sealing professional. As you are all aware, there are many hack firms out there, and unfortunately, when it comes to sealing driveways, it is a very easy company to get into for a fast buck, therefore the hacks are out in force.

1. NEVER HIRE A CONTRACTOR WHO COMES TO YOUR DOOR AND PROMISES YOU A LIFETIME DEAL!! They don't have any remaining asphalt or sealer from earlier jobs, just like paving or sealing. They prepare it in advance in order to sell it to you. If you think you're receiving a great deal, you're probably being taken advantage of, and if you complain, you'll probably never hear from them again.

When looking for a contractor to do the work, use the phonebook, the internet, or talk to friends and neighbors.

2. Hire a contractor who specializes in driveway care, rather than a paving company that does it on the side or anyone else.

3. Find out how the sealer is applied by the contractor.

Brush on is ideal, the squeegee is acceptable, and spray is the worst. If a sealer is sprayed, it will almost certainly be watered down. It will look amazing for a few weeks before unexpectedly disappearing right in front of your eyes.

4. Inquire about the sealer they use. The oil-based sealant absorbs into your driveway and then vanishes. After all, oil is the fundamental ingredient of asphalt, which is what your driveway is constructed of. Latex-based sealers are applied to the top of your driveway in the same manner that paint is applied to a wall in your home. It will almost always flake off over time and look awful.

5. The best driveway sealer is coal tar emulsion. It soaks into the driveway's surface, forms a strong bond, and remains flexible throughout the seasons, preventing cracking and peeling. Coal tar emulsions usually include less than 2% oil, just enough to form a strong bond with the driveway surface.

6. Inquire if the contractor uses sand in their sealer; this will provide a non-slip surface while also increasing the sealer's flexibility.

7. Contractors will add the size to the price if you don't know the square footage of your driveway. During the price quote, inquire about the size of your driveway and the cost per square foot. If the contractor quotes you over the phone without seeing your driveway, be wary!!