Sealing your driveway every 2-3 years has been shown to increase the life of the asphalt by up to 60%. Paving your driveway can cost anywhere from $5,000-$25,000 or more and sealing can help delay that daunting expense. Additionally, a sealed and maintained driveway can help increase the value of your home, especially if you are putting your home on the market.
Every 2-3 years generally gives your driveway the best protection. We automatically send out repeat cards two years after your last seal coat to remind you to check your driveway.
In the warmer summer months (May-August) the driveway will be cured in 24-48 hours. In the fall, additional drying time might be needed due to the indirect sunlight. The driveway may be able to walk on once it turns from a wet look to flat black, usually 2-6 hours after application.
The summer months when the weather is warm and the sunlight is most direct allows for the optimal conditions for the sealer to cure and adhere to your driveway.
Cracks larger than 1/4″ wide and 1/4″ deep will be filled with hot tar and leveled. Cracks that are especially wide may need to be filled with asphalt patch as opposed to hot tar. Cracks that are especially deep are back-filled with sand to allow for a level surface for the hot tar to seep into. If this is not done, some cracks are relatively bottomless and the tar will not stay in the crack, causing the crack to ‘fall through’. It is important to note that despite back-filling, there may be the occasional crack that falls through regardless.
Once we fill the cracks and the tar has set, we pre-coat the cracks with sealer to make sure the cracks aren’t as visible after spraying the sealer, but you will be able to notice where the repairs have been made.
Technically, oil based sealers are illegal in the state of New Jersey. Though unlikely, if for any reason the oil based sealer is washed off of the driveway before it has cured, the homeowner is legally liable for potential environmental contamination and cleanup.
Our standard operating hours are between 8:30am-4:30pm. We cannot give exact times of arrival, but you do not need to be home for us to seal the driveway.
Please make sure all cars are off the driveway by 8:30am the day of your appointment. Make sure that planters, garbage cans, and basketball hoops are off of the driveway (we do not move basketball hoops). Please shut off any automatic or timed sprinkler systems before, during, and 24 hours after sealing. If instructed to kill moss on the driveway, please do so prior to our arrival. There is no need to power-wash your driveway beforehand, unless otherwise noted on your estimate sheet or if this has been discussed with our staff.