Sealing your driveway does wonders for the overall look and quality of your driveway. It truly is an important aspect of having a high-quality driveway. But the question is, how often should you seal your driveway?
This article will discuss everything you need to know about sealing your driveway, from how often you should do it to different types of driveway sealers and other best decisions for your needs. Keep on scrolling to learn more.
What Type of Driveway Sealer Is Best?
It depends on what you’re looking for. If you want something that will last a long time, siloxane and acrylic sealants are your best bet. However, they’re slightly more expensive than latex sealers.
Siloxane and acrylic sealants are the most popular driveway sealers because they can be applied to just about any type of asphalt or concrete surface. These products bond well with the existing surface and create a strong protective layer resistant to water, oil, and other chemicals.
While latex sealant works well on asphalt driveways, it isn’t recommended for concrete surfaces because it tends to peel off after just a few years. However, if you’re looking for an affordable way to protect your asphalt driveway from UV rays and oxidation, latex is a good option.
How Often Does Asphalt Need to Be Sealed?
The answer is that it depends. Sealing your driveway is an excellent idea to protect it from the elements, but you don’t want to seal it too soon or too often.
If you live in an area where the climate is arid and hot, you may want to seal your asphalt every year or two. If you live in an area with cold winters and heavy rains, sealing your asphalt once every three years may be sufficient.
The frequency of sealing also depends on how well the sealer adheres to the asphalt surface.
Some sealers stick better than others to withstand environmental damage better. Generally speaking, if a sealer is applied correctly, it should last at least five years before requiring replacement.
How Often Should You Seal Your Concrete Driveway?
If you’re just starting out, you should seal your concrete driveway every 3 to 5 years. This is the best way to get the most protection out of the sealant.
If you have a brand new driveway or one that’s been sealed recently, you might get away with sealing it less often (once every 7-10 years).
This is because some sealers only last for about two years before they lose their effectiveness. If your driveway is brand new or has been recently resealed, there’s no need to apply a fresh coat of sealer until it starts to look a little faded or dull in color.
How Often Should You Seal the Blacktop?
The answer is not as often as you may think. Sealing your driveway can help slow down the natural aging process, but it won’t stop it. In fact, sealing your blacktop driveway once every three years is usually enough to maintain its appearance.
If you live in an area where there’s a lot of snow and ice or pets walk on it frequently, you may want to seal your driveway more regularly.
Consider washing it instead if you want to seal your driveway less frequently than every three years. A good cleaning will remove dirt and grime from the surface and make it look a lot better without extra effort.
How Long Does Sealcoating Last?
Sealcoating is a process that involves applying a layer of protection onto the surface of the driveway. This coating provides your driveway or parking lot with a protective layer, preventing water and other contaminants from entering the concrete.
Sealcoating is typically done every two to five years to extend the life of your concrete and keep it looking great. However, several factors can affect how long your seal-coated driveway will last, such as:
The Type of Seal Coat
The type of seal coat used on your driveway is essential to its durability. A high-quality sealer will last longer than a mediocre one, but even the best sealers can wear down over time.
Temperature and Humidity Levels in Your Area
The temperature and humidity levels in your area play an essential role in the durability of seal coating. If the temperature is too low or high, it can negatively affect your seal coating. For example, if the temperature is below freezing and you apply a seal coat, you will notice cracks on the surface when it gets cold again.
In addition, if there are high levels of humidity in your area during application, it can cause premature cracking.
Traffic on Your Driveway
The amount of traffic on your driveway will also affect how long your seal coating lasts before needing to be reapplied. If many vehicles are going over the same spot repeatedly, this can cause some wear on your driveway and even cause damage over time if not repaired properly.
This means that if you often have heavy traffic on your driveway, it may need to be resealed more frequently.
The Condition of the Underlying Pavement
Sealcoating lasts longer when applied to a smooth and solid base layer. If there are any potholes or cracks in this layer, it will be more susceptible to damage from weather and traffic.
What Time of Year Is Best to Seal Your Driveway?
Spring is the best time to seal your driveway. This is when the weather is warm enough for the sealant to cure and dry properly so it doesn’t wash off easily.
You can seal it in winter or summer, but it’s a bit more complicated since there’s more humidity and rain. Plus, sealing your driveway in winter may not allow the sealant to cure appropriately before snowfall covers it.
Why Should You Seal Your Driveway?
Sealing helps protect your driveway from damage caused by water, oil, and harsh weather.
Sealing also protects it from UV rays that can cause oxidation and discoloration over time. When you seal a driveway, you add an extra layer of protection against these elements so that the surface of your driveway lasts longer than usual.
What Happens if It Rains After Sealing the Driveway?
Rain and driveway sealer don’t mix well. Rain washes away the sealer, leaving it in an uneven shape. Typically, sealant requires at least 24-48 hours to dry. So if you have a new driveway and it rains within 24 hours of sealing, it will wash away all the sealant.
FAQS
What Happens if the Concrete Is Not Sealed?
If concrete is not sealed properly, moisture will begin to penetrate its surface. This can lead to staining, mold growth, and other problems.
Should I Seal My Concrete Driveway After Pressure Washing?
There’s no need to pressure wash your concrete driveway before sealing because it doesn’t remove all the dirt and debris accumulated. However, it can add unwanted moisture to it.
Does Power Washing Remove Concrete Sealer?
A power washer can be used to remove some of the surface sealers on concrete. But it will not remove all of the sealers, and it may also not remove all of the dirt on your concrete surface.
Should You Power Wash Your Driveway Before Sealing?
Power washing your driveway will remove any loose material and dirt, which can cause the sealer to flake off prematurely. It’s also a good idea to power wash driveways that haven’t been sealed in some time to avoid dirt and grime build-up.
Should I Seal My Blacktop Driveway?
It’s unnecessary to seal your blacktop driveway once every three to five years to maintain its appearance. Call a paving contractor for a professional opinion and hire them to save you time.
Conclusion
The exact schedule of when you should seal your driveway will vary depending on the condition of your driveway and the quality of sealant that you purchase.
Fortunately, sealing your driveway doesn’t have to be a time-consuming affair. As long as you’re familiar with the right methods, you should be able to get your driveway sealed in no time.
