Hey guys, I should be getting a good run of sunny days here so I'm thinking of sealing my (asphalt) driveway but not sure what type of sealer to use, acrylic, asphalt emulsion, or coal tar. What are the differnces, pros, or cons? Where/when would one type would be more suitable than another? Any other recommendations, advice, or info would be greatly appreciated.
I've always used the rubberized airport grade myself(Black Knight). Make sure you hose down the driveway really well to clean it up, wait till it dries and apply the sealer on a hot day. You might want to use a crack filler before sealing btw. I much prefer dumping a little sealer out of the bucket and applying with a squeegie rather than rolling it, which I find doesn't put much sealer down esp if it has a higher gravel content. Make sure you spend lots of time stirring it before applying as well. I also use a dollar store brush 3-4" to go 'round the edges/sidewalk.
Now, just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole project...I've had some people in the paving industry tell me it's a bad idea to seal asphalt at all, that it stops it from breathing.
Now, just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole project...I've had some people in the paving industry tell me it's a bad idea to seal asphalt at all, that it stops it from breathing.
That is what I have been told as well. Thats just one less thing to do in my books.
Check with Rick (Wid)....
I've always used the rubberized airport grade myself(Black Knight). Make sure you hose down the driveway really well to clean it up, wait till it dries and apply the sealer on a hot day. You might want to use a crack filler before sealing btw. I much prefer dumping a little sealer out of the bucket and applying with a squeegie rather than rolling it, which I find doesn't put much sealer down esp if it has a higher gravel content. Make sure you spend lots of time stirring it before applying as well. I also use a dollar store brush 3-4" to go 'round the edges/sidewalk.
Now, just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole project...I've had some people in the paving industry tell me it's a bad idea to seal asphalt at all, that it stops it from breathing.
Thanks Adrian, I never thought of using a squeegie. I'll check to see what kind of sealant Black Knight is.
Now, just to throw a monkey wrench into the whole project...I've had some people in the paving industry tell me it's a bad idea to seal asphalt at all, that it stops it from breathing.
That is what I have been told as well. Thats just one less thing to do in my books.
And that will be my excuse as I patiently wait for Wid
I would recommend a coal tar type sealer. It seems that the coal tar is a longer lasting product than the other two listed. You do not necessarily have to do it on a hot day, as a matter a fact the fumes given off from the sealer can cause a fair skinned person to burn really easy if you are not used to working with this stuff. You do have to make sure that it is not going to frost on the night you will be applying it as that will make it flake off through out the winter.
The very best way to put sealer down is with a push broom. One thing a squeegee will do is make the surface really slick when it gets wet. That why we don't like to use them, the drive can become a falling hazard especially for the elderly.
As far as letting asphalt breath; well that is total nonsense. If ya wanted it to breath then ya wouldn't bother with compacting it. There is nothing there to breath.
What the sealer does is it prevents moister from getting into the small voids. This is really important in cold weather. If moister does penetrate the blacktop then when it freezes the moister expands leading to premature failure of the pavement.
If you do have cracks in the driveway all you need to do is, take some of your sealer add some silica sand to it to form a paste. Take the paste and apply it with a margin trowel to a smooth finish. You will want to do this a day before you plan on sealing the drive.
I forgot to mention. You do not need to hose the drive unless it REALLY dirty. Just use your leaf blower to clean it up.
Awesome, thanks Rick. I don't have a leaf blower, so would hosing actually be easier / better than sweeping with a broom?
Sure you can hose it down. As Adrian mentions, just makes sure it dries good before applying the sealer.
I just did my folk's driveway. it was 95 degrees and sunny that day in southern AZ. 15 drums later and 20 pounds lighter, it was done..... I used some water based stuff from Lowes. It was not real thick, but seamed to work well enough. I used the squeegee method and a 12" brush for the edges and rough patches.
seamed to work well enough.
Hey, was that pun intentional???