Sealing Your Asphalt Driveway To Protect It From Winter Weather
As the weather starts to cool off, you may want to consider sealing your asphalt driveway to protect it from rain, snow, and ice through the winter. Asphalt seal coating is commonly used on driveways, parking areas, and any area that could be damaged if moisture gets under the pavement. Asphalt sealing is effective when it is done correctly.
Preparing Your Driveway
Before you can have asphalt seal coating applied to your driveway, you need to prepare the surface and ensure that the seal coat will adhere properly. The surface needs to be clean, but it is essential to use water and a stiff broom to remove any sand, dirt, or other debris, as soaps and chemicals can leave behind a film that could affect the adhesion of the coating.
Alternatively, you can pressure wash the surface, but it is crucial that you only use water when you do it. Once all the dirt and debris are off the asphalt surface, allow it to dry completely, then inspect it for damage or cracks that need repair before the seal coating contractor arrives. Any crack through the asphalt surface can allow water to penetrate the material, and the asphalt seal coat can help with small cracks but is not enough protection for larger ones.
Dealing With Damage
There are several ways to deal with cracks and damage on your asphalt surface before applying an asphalt seal coating. A cold patch material can be used to fill large gaps, or special crack fillers are available that you can put in the cracks and then heat with a torch to melt into the opening.
The cold patch material is available in bags from most home centers and is easy to use. Fill the gap with the material, tamp it into place until it is smooth and compact, and you are done. Once the cracks are filled and any holes repaired, the asphalt seal coating can be put on the driveway.
Sealcoating The Surface
The asphalt seal coating company will apply a thin liquid coating to the surface of your driveway in several steps. Each coat is applied hot and spread over the surface to cover it from edge to edge. Once the first coat cures, a second coat can be applied over the first in the same way as the first was.
Some companies will stop there, while others may add an additional coat over the first two. Check with the contractor applying the asphalt seal coating on your driveway to see what they recommend. Repeating this process each year in the fall can help extend the life of your asphalt driveway and keep it looking great all year long.
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