There are a number of things to consider when sealing your driveway. While it is true that it will improve the appearance of your driveway and help reduce the possibility of cracks from forming, it’s not necessarily required.
Cracks are the result of a variety of causes. Weather, insufficient curing, and improper usage are the prime causes of cracks. Sealing only helps prevent cracks caused by weather. Thus, even after your driveway is sealed, if it’s sealed too early, or if you drive heavy trucks or equipment over it, the possibility of cracking still exists.
Other causes of cracks include improper soil compaction, expanding soils, and tree roots. To minimize the risk of these damaging your driveway, it’s highly advisable that you make sure that the asphalt is poured on top of 5 inches+ of compacted gravel. Further, be sure that trees are a sufficient distance away from the driveway so that as the tree grows, the roots won’t impact the structural integrity of the asphalt.
As your asphalt driveway ages, the sun’s rays will of course affect the surface of the asphalt. It will cause it to fade, and of course, as it heats up and cools off, the process will trigger expansions/contractions that can lead to cracking. Sealing your driveway will mitigate this, but it will not eliminate it forever. Thus, you should plan to reseal your driveway periodically to provide adequate protection.
Further, while you can seal your driveway yourself, it’s best to hire a professional. This will ensure even and thorough coverage of the driveway. When you hire a contractor to perform the task, be sure to go through all the details with them. For starters, you will want to know whether they are using a water, acrylic, or urethane based sealer. This is an important detail because different sealers will respond differently in different weather and you will want to be sure they use one ideally suited for your climate.
You will also want to make sure that any existing cracks or deficiencies are corrected prior to sealing. Otherwise, it’s like putting lipstick on a pig and eventually these problems will grow which negates the purpose of sealing your driveway to begin with.
We invite you to contact us for more information about sealing driveways and the many services we offer. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and go through all the details with you.
