Asphalt Driveway Sealers

By
©1993-2012 Tim Carter

        
Summary: Asphalt driveways need to be sealed. Make sure that you know when and how often asphalt sealing is needed. Asphalt sealers are important to the length of life of your driveway.

DEAR TIM: I was reviewing a quote I received to have my asphalt drive sealed. But it dawned on me that the streets in my community never get sealed. Is sealing an asphalt driveway really necessary? If so, when should they be sealed? Ron P. Westchester, OH

DEAR RON: Touche! I'll bet you were the captain of your high school debate team. With a point such as that, you can definitely win an argument or two. But in this case, I happen to have a stronger rebuttal point!

There are several reasons why you don't see highway maintenance departments using traditional sealers on roadways. The heavy volume of traffic on the average road would rapidly wear away a surface coating of asphalt sealer. Roadways are also built differently than the average residential driveway. The engineers and government officials responsible for the design and maintenance of public roads plan for re-paving. In other words, since they know they can't seal, they plan ahead knowing the road must be re-paved every so many years.

The asphalt cement is a component of your driveway and public roadways. It is the glue that holds together the gravel and sand particles that actually make the superb driving surface. But the asphalt is damaged by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays and oxygen in the air. The UV rays and the oxidation cause the asphalt to become brittle. Brittle asphalt can crack. Cracks allow water to enter the paved surface. This water can freeze in colder climates causing further damage.

The traffic on roadways actually wears away the brittle asphalt and exposes fresh asphalt. Furthermore, oil drippings from cars and trucks that get spread over the road surface actually acts as a low-grade sealer. But typical residential driveways don't get the traffic that roadways receive. Furthermore, oil spots on driveways are taboo.

The bigger issue for residential asphalt driveways is cracks. Cracks that allow water to penetrate into the gravel base are a far greater threat to the long-term health care of your driveway. Water that enters the gravel base can then soften the soil under an asphalt drive. If this happens, the weight of the cars going over this soft area can cause the paved surface to crack in even more places. Remember, asphalt paving is actually a flexible pavement. The strength of asphalt surfaces comes from strong soils and a strong base material under the finished surface.

Keep in mind that asphalt sealers are simply coatings that penetrate slightly into the asphalt surface. For the most part, they lay on top of the pavement. If you seal too often, you simply are adding layers of asphalt that can peel off. Asphalt drives should be sealed when you can clearly see the color of the stones that are used to make the asphalt paving.

Where I live we use limestone stones to make asphalt paving. Left alone to weather, an asphalt driveway obtains a uniform color of gray. There are asphalt drives in my neighborhood that have not been sealed in 15 years. Had they been sealed three times in that time period I can't say that the driveway would be in any better condition.

Absolutely do not seal a brand-new driveway. Fresh asphalt contains light-weight oils that eventually evaporate into the atmosphere. These oils are responsible for the tender nature of fresh asphalt. As these oils evaporate, the asphalt gets harder and harder. Sealers prevent this evaporation. Seal a new asphalt driveway and it may permanently stay soft.

When you purchase asphalt crack and driveway sealers, use pricing as a barometer. Usually higher priced products contain higher quality materials. Pay attention to any temperature limitations on the product labels. Be sure the products can cure properly.



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Comments:

Welcome! I, Tim Carter, don't answer questions here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area, perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me, there is an option there for you.
Duncan
13 Apr 2008, 20:36
Dear Tim, I plan to reseal my driveway this summer (it has been three years since the last reseal). Each summer, I go through the ritual of filling cracks, and on those years when I need to reseal, I coat the driveway as well. I have been hard pressed to find any rating of the crack sealant products available. As a result, I don't know how effective the products really are that I find in the local DIY store. Judging by appearances -- the cracks in my driveway that need retreatment each year -- I'd say they are not especially effective (even taking account of shrinkage). Further, I have never seen anything on the market like the tape that sealing companies use to cover cracks. I'd be grateful for your guidance -- what are the best, most effective products for sealing cracks, filling small holes and 1/2 inch to one inch cracks? Is the tape that professionals use effective? It seems to work pretty well. Is it available to the consumer? Many thanks, Duncan
Bill K.
18 Apr 2008, 22:16
Dear Tim,
We just had a new asphalt driveway put in, and we didn't get any instructions from the company nor a contract. But it looks like a very nice job with the exception there is grass growing through the asphalt. What can be done about this problem if anything?

Thankyou, Bill (arizona)
Eliss
13 May 2008, 13:03
The City of Las Vegas just slurried our street two weeks ago. I just finished installing a new drive way with pavers. The construction work left the street area in front of my house stained fron the sand, dirt, and cement mixing. Is there something I can apply to bring this area to match the new surface?
kevin
13 May 2008, 15:46
Hi, I just had a new blacktop driveway put in. I live in the Buffalo area. How long must I wait before sealing it?
RC
18 May 2008, 10:02
Are asphalt sealers available in colors? If so, are they as durable as the black sealers?
Leslie
19 May 2008, 19:44
I see great question but NO ANSWERS! Are they hidden someplace I can go get the answers?
ruth gilbride
30 May 2008, 11:30
where are the answers? i too just had a new asphalt driveway but put on over my old broken up concrete driveway. should i look for any problems? and what kind of sealer should i get and when ? also, what kind of crack sealant is best?
thank you.
Robert
02 Jun 2008, 11:25
I need to reseal my driveway- some guy who works for an asphalt company stopped by and said he would spray liquid asphalt over my drive,then I should wait a year to have it resealed-but the liquid asphalt should be applied first-please explain- ps-this guy does this on the side
Candy
08 Jun 2008, 11:50
I have a large asphalt parking area in the front of my house. It radiates a lot of heat from the sun and my house and gardens get overheated because of it. Do they make a color coating in light gray that I can put on it to reduce this problem?
Fred Balzer
07 Jul 2008, 22:07
I too am interested in ratings on crack fillers.

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