Having an asphalt driveway is one of the best investments one will make top ensure that their driveways are in great condition to park or to increase its value and appearance. As long as you spend the time patching and sealing the asphalt driveway, you’ll be able to extend its lifespan and improve the curb appeal of your home.
Since winter is coming in just a few months, there isn’t any better time to begin sealing your driveway but now. This will prevent the asphalt from damaging and costing even more to repair the damage in the future.
But before you seal your driveway, you have to make sure that you check a few things beforehand! To help you out, here are the important things to know before you seal a driveway.
Important Things to Know Before Sealing a Driveway
Planning to seal your driveway soon? Then you must take note of these five factors and have it taken cared of before you do so:
- Check for Trouble Spots
Before anything else, you must check your driveway for any trouble spots that may ruin the sealing process. Inspect each square foot of your driveway, taking note of any oil stains, potholes, crumbling material, or cracks.
I recommend that you check out the edges of your driveway, which are most susceptible to damage. Once you have taken note of the trouble spots, take a photo or mark it to repair them later.
It’s crucial to do this because you wouldn’t want your driveway to end up looking dirty or damaged after sealing it. We’ll get into cleaning and repairing in the next sections.
- Scrub Stains Away
When you find oil and grease stains around your driveway, you must clean them up to increase curb appeal and value of your home. Scrub them away by using hot and soapy water with a stiff-brittle brush.
If that doesn’t work, you can dissolve the stains with degreasers or other chemicals specialized for removing oil and grease stains. There are also other natural remedies such as using kitty litter, baking soda, detergents, or WD-40. Consider pressure washing your driveway as well to remove more stains or debris that may get in the way of the sealing process.
- Fill in the Cracks
Most driveways will have either small or big cracks. Either way, they all must be repaired before applying asphalt sealer. Even the smallest cracks are essential to fix, as they may end up getting longer or wider over time.
You’ll be able to fill the cracks by using various products for asphalt driveways. These can come in preformed rolls, caulking tubes, or squeeze bottles. What you need depends on the crack’s size. Liquid fillers are best for cracks that are about a quarter-inch wide. Those larger, it’s best to have a caulk tube or roll-type filler.
For cracks even wider, it’s best to stuff foam backer rod then apply a caulk or roll-type crack filler. Also, remember that you have to dry vacuum the cracks to remove any debris or sediments. You can also use a screwdriver or other tools to pick out any grass or small debris.
- Patch Any Potholes
If ever your driveway has any potholes, then it’s best to repair these deep depressions or crumbled areas using a blacktop patch. It’s asphalt that comes in a bag.
Make sure to brush and vacuum the area clean, removing any loose asphalt or debris. Using a shove, spread the blacktop patch and compact it with hand tampers. Add more of the blacktop patch on the area and compact it again. Repeat until the asphalt is flush with the driveway. Let the patch cure for a whole day before you seal.
- Prep Your Driveway to Seal
After you have repaired everything, it’s time to prepare the driveway by cleaning it thoroughly. Start by sweeping all heavy debris with a push broom, then pressure wash the driveway to rinse the area clean of all sand, grit, and dirt. Start on the highest end of your driveway, then work down until you reach the edges. If ever the driveway is very dirty, use concentrated asphalt cleaners.
Wrapping It Up
And there you have it! Sealing a driveway is one thing but you also have to ensure that you’re familiar with what you have to check out before you do so. That way, you won’t have to worry about your driveway from becoming damaged or sealed incorrectly.
I hope that this article on what to know before sealing a driveway gave you more information on what to do and check out. So don’t wait any longer and start making the checklist today.
If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences on sealing a driveway or if you’re looking for Brisbane Driveway Washing to do the job for you, then comment below. I would love to hear what you have to think.
