Well, it’s officially fall, and now is a great time to think about giving your asphalt driveway or parking lot a fresh sealcoating. With cold temperatures soon to set in, you’ll want to protect your asphalt and let’s face it, a quality asphalt sealcoating can give your driveway or parking lot that rich, deep, dark color that adds curb appeal.
While we encourage homeowners and business owners to make an appointment with our professional sealcoating experts, some opt to try out the process themselves. If you plan on DIY-ing your asphalt sealcoating, here are some things to know:
Asphalt Prep
- Before you apply your sealer, you’ll want to patch any holes or cracks you may have in your asphalt. Since sealcoating simply restores protection and strength, it doesn’t repair any damage. which means your holes or cracks may get worse if you don’t patch them. You can find asphalt repair kits at your local home improvement store, but just to warn you – if your holes or cracks are larger or more significant, you may want to call Mr. Pavement to make sure they’re repaired correctly.
- If you have bricks, stones, or pavers lining your driveway, make sure you cover the inner edges with masking tape so that the sealer doesn’t coat them.
- Before you begin your sealcoating process, make sure you thoroughly clean and dry your driveway or parking lot so that the sealer adheres properly.
During the Process
- The amount of sealer you need depends on both the size of your asphalt area and if it has been sealed recently. If it hasn’t been sealed recently, your driveway or parking lot will be porous and will require more sealer. If you’re not sure how much to buy, we always say it’s safer to buy too much than to not buy enough.
- If you accidentally get some sealer on an area that shouldn’t be seal coated, don’t worry – most sealers will wash off with soap and water if they’re still wet (so if you notice a tainted area, don’t wait to fix it.)
- At Mr. Pavement, we recommend you use two thin coats of sealer for your asphalt sealcoating. Before you apply the second coat, however, make sure the first coat is completely dry. Usually, sealers fully cure in 8-12 hours, so start your sealcoating early or plan for a two-day project.
After-Care
- For the best results, our asphalt sealcoating experts recommend sealing your driveway or parking every year or every other year to extend its lifespan and protect it from hail, snow, UV rays, water damage, and more.
- Wait 8-12 hours for the second coat of sealer to dry before you walk or drive on your asphalt. To make sure it’s dry, rub the surface with a towel; if you find black on the towel, it’s not fully dry. To check your cracks or holes, insert a toothpick; if it comes out black, they’re not dry yet.