How To Prepare Driveway For Sealing?

It’s that time of year again! The weather is getting warmer and dryer, which means it’s time to start thinking about sealing your driveway. But before you can start sealing, you need to prepare your driveway for the job. Keep reading to find out how. 

What is the Best Time of Year to Seal Your Driveway?

Technically, you can seal your driveway at any time of the year (with the exception of the dead of winter, in most places). To decide what time of year to seal your driveway, consider these three factors:

Seal Your Driveway to Prevent Damage from Winter Weather

One of the biggest reasons to seal your driveway is to prevent damage from winter weather. Ice, snow, and salt can all wreak havoc on your driveway, causing cracks, potholes, and other damage. By sealing your driveway regularly, you can help extend its lifespan and avoid costly repairs.

Seal Your Driveway to Enhance Its curb Appeal

In addition to preventing damage, sealing your driveway can also enhance its curb appeal. A well-sealed driveway looks clean and new, while an unsealed driveway can look dirty and old. If you’re thinking about selling your home in the near future, sealing your driveway is a great way to increase its value.

How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway? 

Most experts recommend sealing your driveway every two or three years. However, if you live in an area with harsh winters or heavy traffic, you may need to seal it more often. If you’re not sure how often to seal your driveway, check with a local contractor or sealcoating company for advice.

How to Prepare Driveway for Sealing?

Sealing your driveway is a great way to protect it from the elements and keep it looking its best. But before you can start sealing, there are a few preparatory steps you need to take first. 

The first step in preparing your driveway for sealing is to clean it thoroughly. You can do this by pressure washing it or using a stiff-bristled brush and some elbow grease.

Be sure to get rid of any dirt, debris, and leaves that have accumulated over the winter months. We’ll give you more in-depth details on how to clean your driveway prior to sealing a bit later in this post.

Once your driveway is clean, you need to repair any cracks or damage that has occurred. This will help ensure a smooth, even seal.

1. First, use a wire brush to remove any loose pieces of asphalt.
2. Next, fill the cracks with an asphalt crack filler. Once the filler is dry, use a putty knife to smooth it out so that it’s level with the rest of the surface. 
3. The last step is to patch any larger holes in the driveway. For this, you’ll want to use an asphalt patching compound. Follow the directions on the package, apply it to the holes, and then use a trowel to level it off with the surrounding area. 

After your repairs are complete, give the driveway ample time to dry completely before moving on to the next step. 

Once your driveway is clean and dry, it’s time to start taping off the area. You’ll want to tape off any areas that you don’t want sealed, such as gardens, sidewalks, and patios. Once you have everything taped off, you’re ready to start sealing! 

Here’s a video with more information:

How to Clean Driveway Before Sealing?

Sealing your driveway is an important part of maintaining it. Not only does it protect your driveway from the elements, but it also makes it look its best. Before you can seal your driveway, though, you need to make sure it’s clean. Here’s a quick guide on how to clean your driveway before sealing.

The first step is to sweep away any dirt, leaves, or other debris that have accumulated on the surface of your driveway. Use a broom or leaf blower to get rid of everything.

If there are any stubborn spots, you can use a hose to wash them away. Just be sure not to use too much pressure, as this could damage the surface of your driveway.

Once the surface is clean, it’s time to deal with any oil stains.

1. First, cover the stain with a generous amount of baking soda.
2. Then, add enough hot water to create a paste. Let this sit for about 15 minutes before scrubbing it away with a brush. If the stain is still visible, you can repeat this process until it’s gone. 
3. The last step is to treat any weeds that are growing in cracks or crevices. You can either pull them up by hand or spray them with herbicide. Once they’re gone, be sure to fill in any cracks or holes so that new weeds don’t have a chance to take root.

Should You Wet Driveway Before Sealing?

It is often advised that you should wet your driveway before sealing. But why is this? Is it actually necessary? The answer is yes, and no. Here’s a guide on how to wet the driveway before sealing effectively.

Wetting your driveway before sealing has a few benefits.

• First, it cools the pavement so that the sealer can better grip and adhere to the surface.
• Second, it allows the sealer to better penetrate the pores of the asphalt which will result in a longer lasting seal.
• Finally, it decreases the amount of toxic fumes emitted during the sealcoating process. 

Overall, wetting your driveway before sealing is beneficial and we recommend doing so.

Now that we’ve answered the question “should you wet the driveway before sealing,” it’s time to give you a few tips on how to do it effectively. 

For starters, NEVER power wash your driveway before sealcoating as this can damage the surface. Instead, use a garden hose with a nozzle attachment to evenly spray down the entire driveway. 

Once you’ve done this, use a push broom to work any pooled water into the pores of the asphalt. And that’s it! You’re ready to apply sealer to your wet driveway. Check out also this guide on how soon after sealing you’ll be able to use it again.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning and preparing your driveway may seem like a lot of work, but it’s necessary if you want to get the most out of your sealer. By taking the time to do these things, you’ll be rewarded with a long-lasting seal that will protect your driveway from whatever Mother Nature throws its way.