Asphalt sealcoating can protect and prolong the life of your driveway. When applying this protective layer of sealant over the surface of the asphalt, you will protect it from the elements, prevent cracks, and other damage from forming.

If you have an asphalt driveway and want to keep it in good condition, sealcoating is an important step to take. Here's a quick guide to help you get the job done.

Prepare, Repair, and Protect

Asphalt seal coating is a relatively simple process. However, to optimize the protection the asphalt seal coating will offer, you need to do a little prep work.

• Clean: before you start sealcoating, you'll need to prepare the surface of your driveway. This involves cleaning the asphalt to remove any dirt, debris, or stains. You can use a pressure washer or a garden hose to wash the surface, and then allow it to dry completely. You might also want to use a degreasing solvent to remove any oil or other substances on the driveway. You can speed up the drying process with a leaf blower.
• Repair: if your driveway has any cracks or holes, you'll need to repair them before sealcoating. You can use a patching compound to fill in the cracks and then smooth them out with a trowel. If you have large holes, you may need to use a cold patch asphalt mixture to fill them in. If you haven't worked with these materials before, you might want to hire an asphalt contractor to complete this step.
• Protect: before you start sealcoating, make sure to cover any areas that you don't want the sealant to touch, such as plants, grass, or sidewalks. You can use masking tape and plastic sheets to protect these areas.

Apply, Dry, Repeat

When you apply the asphalt sealcoating, you might imagine you're coats of paint to your driveway.

• Apply: with the surface is clean and dry and you've repaired any cracks or holes, it's time to apply the sealant. You can use a sealcoating brush or squeegee to spread the sealant evenly over the surface of the driveway. Make sure to cover the entire surface, including the edges and corners.
• Dry: after you've applied the sealant, allow it to dry completely. This can take several hours or even a full day, depending on the weather and the type of sealant you are using. Avoid driving on the sealcoated surface until it is fully dry.

• Repeat: asphalt sealcoating should be repeated every few years to maintain the protective layer and keep your driveway in good condition.

For more info, contact a company like Cornerstone Paving.