If you want to properly maintain and extend the life of your asphalt driveway then sealcoating is the answer. In this article, the professional pavers at JHC Landscaping Services share their expertise about driveway sealcoating, understanding how unsealed driveways can affect your home and how to get your driveway prepped for installation.
Sealing Asphalt Driveway Pros and Cons
Sealcoating is an effective way to protect your driveway and your home from the elements. It’s also a quick and easy way to enhance your home’s curb appeal. However, here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of sealcoating as a driveway finishing technique:
Pros
- Protection for Driveway: Sealcoating creates a shield that protects your driveway from the harsh sun, snow, ice and salt. Sealcoating is especially important for Toronto homeowners whose basements may become damaged if asphalt gets cracked, allowing water to seep into your foundation.
- Cost Effective: Sealcoating your driveway as needed is the most economical way to maintain your driveway. It’s cheaper than putting down new asphalt and costs less than other paving methods such as concrete or interlock.
- Easy to Seal: Sealcoating a driveway is a stress-free project that can be completed in a single weekend. It only takes a few hours for each coat to dry. Several coats later, you’re ready to use your refreshed asphalt driveway.
Cons
- Sealcoating Can’t be Done on Fresh Asphalt: If you recently repaved your driveway or have a new build home, you need to wait at least six months before you can seal your driveway. New asphalt needs time to cure so patience is key.
- Seasonal Project: It can be hard to find the right time to sealcoat. Sealcoating can only be performed if the weather is 10°C or higher and there is no rain in the forecast for the next 24 hours.
- Requires Maintenance: Asphalt driveway sealing is durable but it doesn’t last forever. If you use a lot of salt to melt ice in the winter or the temperature swings wildly between freeze and thaw, your driveway may require a new sealcoat sooner than later.
Repair Your Driveway Before Sealcoating
For the best driveway sealing experience, it’s important to properly prepare. Start by cleaning all dirt and debris from the driveway. Next, fill any cracks or holes with an asphalt crack filler. Allow the filler to cure for at least 24 hours before starting the sealcoat process.
Get a Professional Inspection of Your Asphalt Driveway
Sealing a driveway? JHC Landscaping Services offers sealcoating expertise that increases your home’s curb appeal, protects your driveway all winter long and keeps harmful water away from your home’s foundation. The money you spend sealcoating a driveway every few years is far less than what you’d spend on installing and maintaining another driveway material. Contact JHC Landscaping Services now to get a free estimate.