How to Lay Sealer on a Driveway
Your driveway takes a lot of abuse, from vehicle leaks to ultraviolet rays and other harsh weather elements. Over time, cracks can develop in your driveway, and eventually potholes can start to form. One way to stop the development of cracks and holes is to seal the driveway with a commercial sealer. The project is one that's easily and quickly completed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Wide shop broom
- Stiff-bristled brush
- Water hose with spray nozzle
- Household detergent
- Asphalt or concrete crack filler
- Asphalt cold patch
- 6-inch length of four-by-four (for tamping)
- Grass edger
- Sharp tool (awl or hook)
- Gloves
- Wide squeegee
- Driveway sealer -- specific to your driveway (asphalt/concrete)
- Trowel
- Gravel
- Piece of plywood
Instructions
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Sweep any cracks present in the driveway. Remove any loose material and dispose of it. Next, use a water hose with a spray nozzle to clean out the cracks. Apply household detergent. With a stiff brush, scrub out the cracks to remove any oil and dirt. Then wash out remaining detergent and dirt with water. Allow crack to dry before filling with a crack filler.
If filling a crack in a asphalt driveway that is one-half of an inch or wider, fill with cold patch. To apply cold patch, pour it into the crack and tamp with a six-inch-long piece of four-by-four wood.
Repeat step for other cracks present in your driveway. Allow the crack filler/cold patch to dry overnight before applying driveway sealer.
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Sweep any depressed areas in the driveway. Wash with hose, and then pour household detergent into the depressed area. Agitate the detergent and wash again. Let dry, and then prime the area with a small amount of driveway sealer. Fill depressed area with cold patch. Use a trowel to level the cold patch. Tamp the patch with the six-inch-long piece of four-by-four wood. Repeat step for other depressed areas in your driveway. Allow the cold patch to dry overnight before applying driveway sealer.
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Dig out any loose material and dirt present in any potholes in the driveway. Make sure the edges around the pothole are solid and not crumbling. Even out any rough edges by breaking off any loose material. Fill the pot hole within four inches of the surface with gravel. Tamp the gravel with a six-inch-long piece of four-by-four wood. Then apply cold patch in layers less than two inches thick. Tamp after each layer. On the layer before the last one, fill within one inch of the top of the hole. On the final layer, extend it just above the surrounding surface. Tamp it firmly.
Place a piece of plywood over the hole and drive your car back and forth over it several times.
Allow the cold patch to cure for at least two days, not to exceed five days before applying driveway sealer.
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Cut any grass extending over the edge of the driveway with a edger, lawn mower or shovel. Then sweep any debris from the driveway. Flush surface with water and scrub any dirt with a brush and detergent. Wash again and let dry. Next, open driveway sealer and mix thoroughly. Apply driveway sealer with a wide squeegee in thin coats.
Follow any specific instructions on the sealer. Some brands recommend lightly misting the driveway with water during the application.
Keep any cars, animals or visitors off of the surface for at least 24 hours.
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Tips & Warnings
Outside temperature must be 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher before applying driveway sealer. Allow 24 hours before using sealed driveway. Follow the specific manufacturer's directions on the sealer container. Check the weather forecast for rain and do not apply sealer if rain is expected within 36 hours.
