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Seal Your Driveway for Instant Curb Appeal
If you’ve ever paid to have an asphalt driveway put in, then you know how expensive they can be. For the relative low cost of materials for maintenance, it makes a lot of sense to do so on a regular basis. This way, your driveway can last as long as possible. Of course, by doing so, the curb appeal of your home is also maintained. Just by driving around any neighborhood, you know the feeling. A newly sealed asphalt driveway stands out and draws attention to anybody who goes by. It gives the house a neat, well-kept appearance. Not only does a well-maintained and sealed driveway provide curb appeal, it can substantially add to the home’s value. For example, prospective buyers will take note, knowing they won’t have to worry about dealing with the cost of an expensive driveway repair job or replacement.
Besides curb appeal, why is sealing your driveway so important? A brand-new asphalt driveway, if left unmaintained, will only last about 12 to 15 years before it is a crumbling mess. Neglected asphalt allows water to seep through its porous surface. This causes a freezing/heating cycle as the saturated soil beneath freezes and heaves, causing cracks to develop.
The best way to preserve your asphalt driveway is to seal it on a regular basis. In addition to sealing, make sure that clean edges are maintained, which will keep grass and weeds from encroaching. A good rule of thumb is to fix any cracks as they appear, or at the very least, inspect and repair them annually. Sealing should be done every 2 to 3 years, depending on traffic and climate. Do not seal every year. Keep in mind that a driveway sealer is a coating, like paint. If you apply to many layers, than just like paint, it will begin to peel and crack. Make sure that the previous coat of sealer is worn down enough so that the aggregate material (rocks, pebbles) is visible before applying a re-coat.
Better types of sealers for your driveway contain chemicals such as coal tars. These chemicals enable the sealer to be more resistant to oil and gasoline. There are however, acrylic-based sealers that are more expensive than traditional coal tar sealers, but they can last much longer.
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