Sealing a Driveway

September 3, 2024

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As summer nears an end, it is the perfect time to complete outdoor projects around the house. One part of the property that tends to get overlooked is the driveway. If your driveway is showing signs of wear, including cracks and fading, and has not been sealed in a few years, now is an ideal time to tackle this DIY project.

Reasons to Seal Your Driveway

While the driveway might not be the first thing people notice about your home, it is usually the first surface guests step on as they approach the house. A cracked and faded driveway does not give a favorable first impression. Aside from making your driveway look fresh and new and boosting curb appeal, sealing offers practical benefits as well, including:

• Helps prevent wear and tear that can lead to an expensive driveway replacement.
• Acts as a barrier to UV rays, moisture, and harmful chemicals.
• Prolongs the lifespan of the driveway.

Mistakes to Avoid

Sealing a driveway typically does not require the help of a professional, but there are common mistakes you will want to avoid if you decide to seal it yourself. To achieve the best results, be sure not to make the following mistakes.

• Forgetting to check the weather – Late spring, summer, and early fall are ideal times, as you should seal when the temperature is between 50-95 degrees. Additionally, you will want to wait at least one day after it has rained and make sure it will not rain for the next few days.
• Sealing too late in the day – Apply the sealant before 3 PM so it has time to dry before dew appears on the grass the next morning.
• Sealing an uneven driveway – Hire a professional to level your driveway if it is clearly uneven.
• Failing to clean and prep the driveway – Weeds must be pulled and cracks must be filled before applying sealant.
• Stirring the mixture improperly – Use a mixing paddle or a drill mixer, as a stick will not blend the mixture properly.
• Using the wrong applicator – Read the sealant instructions before you choose to use a brush or squeegee.
• Sealing too often – The sealant will flake if it is applied too frequently. Seal low-trafficked areas every two to three years and high-trafficked areas every one to two years.

Prepping Before You Seal

Preparing your driveway for sealant is crucial to its long-term effectiveness. Follow the steps below to ensure the job is done correctly the first time.

• Purchase the sealant that is right for your driveway – Asphalt driveways typically need coal tar, asphalt-based sealcoating, or rubberized sealer and are applied with a squeegee. Concrete driveways usually require epoxy, acrylic, or a silicate sealant and are applied with a brush. Turn the sealant container upside down the night before you start sealing to make it easier to mix.
• Gather all the tools and supplies you will need – For best results, you will need a power washer or hose with a spray nozzle, gloves, push broom, driveway cleaner, dash brush, oil-degreasing detergent, oil spot primer, drill with paddle, poly sheeting, duct tape, and a squeegee or brush, depending on which one is recommended in the sealant instructions.
• Pull any weeds you see, trim overgrown shrubs, treat oil stains with a degreasing detergent that is meant for the material of your driveway, thoroughly clean and give the driveway time to dry, and fill all the cracks before applying sealant.
• Protect the areas surrounding your driveway with poly sheeting and duct tape, including your garage, grass, sidewalk, or anywhere else sealant does not belong.

How to Seal Your Driveway

Before you begin mixing the sealant, treat oil stains with a degreasing detergent and paint over the areas with oil spot primer. You can start mixing the sealant once these areas are dry. Here are the next steps:

• Mix the sealant – Cover the area surrounding the sealant container with poly sheeting before you start mixing. Then, cut a hole through the center of the lid big enough to fit a drill and paddle. Place the paddle at the top of the sealant to start and then slowly move it down and back up.
• Apply sealant around the perimeter – Use a wide paintbrush to apply the sealant around the edges of the driveway before you start using the squeegee everywhere else.
• Apply sealant everywhere else – Start at one of the top corners of the driveway and pour about two gallons out slowly in a U-shape. Spread a thin layer of sealant with a squeegee (asphalt driveways) or a brush (concrete driveways), working from top to bottom and side to side. If more than one bucket of sealant is needed, place the containers strategically and start mixing the next bucket once you are about halfway through the current one.
• Let the sealant dry – Wait at least eight hours before applying a second coat if it is needed. Once you are finished sealing, wait 24 to 48 hours before driving or walking on the driveway.

The amount of time needed to seal your driveway largely depends on its size, but it is usually a project that can be accomplished over the course of a weekend. The commitment time and financial investment are both minimal compared to many other DIY projects.