How to Seal Your Asphalt Driveway
Applying sealant to a driveway's asphalt every two to four years prolongs the driveway's life and reduces its maintenance. Asphalt sealer fills the cracks that eventually turn into potholes. In northern climates, water in a driveway's cracks freezes during the winter. The frozen water expands, causing further damage to the asphalt coating. Asphalt sealer protects the driveway from sun-caused oxidation and drying. Fill all cracks wider than 1/8 inch with an asphalt crack filler and any potholes with a cold-patch asphalt filler before sealing the driveway. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Weed trimmer
- Drop cloth
- Pressure washer
- Broom
- Paint stick
- Driveway squeegee
Instructions
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1
Trim the grass along the sides of the driveway, using a weed trimmer. Remove any overhanging vegetation and cover any bushes or flowers with a drop cloth.
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2
Clean all debris and stains from the asphalt's surface with a pressure washer. Use care to avoid damaging any pothole or crack patches in the driveway. Let the driveway dry overnight.
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3
Move the vehicles from the driveway and use a broom to clean any dirt or debris blown onto the driveway overnight.
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4
Remove the lid from the bucket of asphalt sealer. Stir the sealer in the bucket with a paint stick until the texture becomes consistent.
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5
Pour a 1-foot-wide strip of sealant across the width of the driveway about 2 to 3 feet from its highest point. Create an S-shaped pattern with the sealant.
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6
Place a driveway squeegee blade in the middle of the sealant. Push the sealant to the top of the driveway, using the squeegee. Lift the squeegee and pull the asphalt sealant from the top of the driveway toward the lower end, leaving a thin coat of sealant on the driveway. Cover the top of the driveway using this method.
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Pour a 1-foot-wide, 2-foot-long puddle of asphalt sealant on one side of the driveway near the applied sealant. Work the sealant into the edge of the finished area, using the squeegee to spread the sealant. Pull the sealant across the driveway, using a side-to-side motion with the squeegee. Pour additional sealant on the driveway as needed to cover the remaining area with a thin layer.
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8
Clean the squeegee, using the manufacturer's recommended cleanup method.
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9
Allow the sealant 24 to 48 hours to dry, using the manufacturer's recommended dry time, before either applying a second coat or using the driveway.
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Tips & Warnings
Two thin coats of asphalt sealant works better than one thick coat.
References
Resources
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