Asphalt driveways are expensive to have installed. So, if you want to get your money’s worth, it’s important that you properly maintain yours.
Unfortunately, though, cracks and potholes are all too common, occurring as they do for many reasons including adverse weather conditions and heavy loads. Frequent repairs will, therefore, be inevitable.
By regularly sealing your driveway and filling cracks and potholes as they appear, you can ensure that the asphalt stays in top condition for decades to come. But, what exactly is the best way to do that? Should you opt for DIY asphalt driveway repair or call in the professionals?
Read on for the answers to all of your biggest driveway repair questions.
Is Sealing Your Own Driveway Worth It?
To start with, let’s consider the question: is it worth sealing driveway yourself? While it may not be the approach of choice for a lot of people, the answer is a resounding ‘yes!’
When people want their driveway and any cracks in the surface sealed, many turn straight to Google to find a local contractor who will do the job for them. But, there’s no reason why they can’t get the results they want with the right driveway sealing equipment and a good technique.
Whether you decide to try driveway sealing DIY or professional is your approach of choice, you can be sure of a smooth, top-of-the-range finish that will keep your driveway in great condition for many years. However, just bear in mind that there are additional benefits if you do decide to do it yourself.
The Benefits of a DIY Approach to Sealing Your Driveway
Your driveway will need a fresh coat of sealant roughly every two years, and there’s no telling how often cracks in the asphalt will demand your attention. If you invest in the right products, you could save yourself time and money all while achieving the results you’d expect from a professional.
Time
Driveway maintenance jobs need to be completed as soon as possible, especially when cracks appear.
Leave cracks as they are and they’ll let in water that could cause expensive structural damage. They will also expand over time, which will make them far harder to fix. Learning to apply asphalt crack sealer yourself is a surefire way to guarantee they will be repaired the moment they’re spotted.
The job of seal coating isn’t generally as time-pressured, although you must do it frequently. It is also a job that can only be done when weather conditions are good. If you wait on a contractor to come when the sun is out, you might end up waiting far longer than you need to.
In either case, sealing the asphalt surface yourself will mean you don’t have to leave your driveway open to the elements. It is, in other words, the best way to ensure your driveway is always tended to when needed. This will help keep it structurally sound for years to come.
Cost
You won’t just save time when you opt for a DIY asphalt driveway sealer approach; you’ll save money, too.
Contractors’ fees can often be extortionate, with the cost of the call-out, equipment handling, and people power very quickly adding up. Even when you find a contractor who can seal your driveway for you for a good price, it will likely still cost you more than you really need to pay.
When you purchase good driveway crack sealer equipment and seal coating materials, you can avoid paying for all of the unnecessary overheads. With a good DIY seal coat sprayer and sealer for cracks, you’ll find that driveway maintenance can be astonishingly cheap.
Quality
Don’t worry about scrimping on quality when you choose to seal your asphalt driveway yourself. It’s not just the professionals who can achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish with their asphalt repair products.
By following a super simple method and any instructions included with your equipment, your driveway will come out looking good as new with every application. You will, however, need to invest in products that promise a perfect finish.
How to Seal Your Own Driveway
Before you can make a start on sealing your driveway, you have to ensure you have the correct equipment to hand. This includes:
- Rubberized asphalt tape.
- A propane torch.
- A tub of professional-grade sealer, for example, coal tar sealer or asphalt emulsion sealant.
- A DIY seal coat sprayer or a squeegee.
- Protective equipment.
You may not need asphalt tape or a propane torch. These pieces of equipment will only be necessary if you’re sealing driveway cracks before applying your seal coat. This is, however, highly recommended if you want your seal coat to be as effective as possible.
Is It Better to Spray or Squeegee Driveway Sealer?
When it comes to applying your seal coat, you need to decide whether you want to do so with a sprayer or a squeegee. The benefits of the former are that application is easier and the finish you get likely to be smoother than if you opt for a squeegee.
However, a squeegee is by far the most cost-effective option. It is also very much possible to get a great finish, although it may take more time. And, an additional benefit is that it’s easier to smooth over imperfections in an asphalt surface by applying pressure with a squeegee. So, ultimately, the instrument you choose will boil down to personal choice.
How to Repair Asphalt Driveway
Once you’ve decided what approach to take, you can make a start on sealing your driveway. It’s a pretty easy process. All you have to do is follow these simple tips:
Seal Any Cracks
Before applying a seal coat to your asphalt driveway, you must seal any cracks using your rubberized tar tape and propane burner. This will make the protective seal coat you apply later far more effective and prevent further damage to the surface.
Mix Your Materials
Following the instructions included with your professional-grade sealer, mix with water and stir well.
Application With a Sprayer
When using an asphalt sealer sprayer, walk slowly across your driveway, keeping your sprayer a few feet away from the surface and moving it steadily from left to right. Start from the top of your driveway and work your way down until you have an even layer coating the surface of your asphalt driveway.
Application With a Squeegee
All you have to do when using a squeegee is pour a layer of sealer onto your driveway and smooth it out over the surface. Use pressure to push the mixture into any remaining cracks or other imperfections and take care to apply the coat evenly.
Leave to Dry
It will take around 24 hours for your driveway seal coat to dry completely. Until then, do not drive or park on the newly sealed asphalt. You may, however, walk on it after about three hours, when the top of the coat is dry to the touch.
Do It Yourself Driveway Sealer Vs Professional?
You don’t need the help of a professional to seal coat your driveway. With the best driveway sealer crack filler, the right equipment, and a good knowledge of the simple steps you need to take, it’s very possible to get premium results without paying a premium price.
Consider investing today to stay on top of your driveway. If you do, yours is bound to last for many years more than if you left it exposed to the elements unprotected.
