Written by Tara Mastroeni and published on https://www.realtor.com/
While they have a fresh, black appearance and beautiful curb appeal, asphalt driveways also require proper maintenance. Many homeowners may notice their driveway doesn’t look as new as it once did—but they don’t know if sealcoating or resurfacing is the answer. Sealcoating involves applying a liquid sealant over your existing asphalt pavement to seal the surface and fill cracks. The process protects the sublayers and foundation from the elements and delays driveway replacement.
Even if you’ve dutifully maintained your driveway and performed all necessary repairs, the materials break down over time. It becomes impossible to patch crumbling asphalt. You may begin to think your constant repairs aren’t worth the trouble. Installing a new driveway provides a smooth, safe surface you’ll appreciate each day.
How to Reseal a Driveway, a DIY Project That Will Boost Curb Appeal
Contents
Knowing how to reseal a driveway will undoubtedly pump up your home’s curb appeal. After rough weather wreaks havoc on your property, major wear and tear will show in unsightly cracks and potholes. Luckily, there’s an easy fix that you can tackle with your own two hands.
A new coat of asphalt will help extend the life of your driveway while also making it look shiny and new. If you’re up for the task, look no further than this step-by-step guide—we’ll walk you through every part of the process!
Trust us when we say that this process is so simple that just about anyone can handle it, no prior DIY experience required.
Tools you’ll need
- Weed whacker
- Leaf blower
- Power washer
- Rubber boots or a pair of old shoes you wouldn’t mind throwing away
- Painter’s tape
- Long-handle, soft-bristle brush
- Long-handle squeegee
- Asphalt crack filler
- Wet asphalt (aka rubberized asphalt sealant)
How to reseal a driveway
Before you start, check the weather forecast to make sure the temperature will be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit with no rain at all for a least a week. Unfortunately, if it rains heavily during your project, you’ll have to start again.
Step 1: Trim grass or weeds
Start by using a weed whacker to trim any grass that’s growing over the border of your driveway. While you’re at it, if you see any grass or weeds growing up from existing cracks in the driveway, you’ll want to tackle those areas, as well.
Step 2: Blow away debris
Use a leaf blower to carefully blow any grass clippings or loose dirt off the driveway’s surface.
Step 3: Power-wash the driveway
Working in a back-and-forth motion, power-wash the entire surface of the driveway to get rid of any lingering debris. Allow it to dry completely.
The sealant won’t be able to properly bond to your driveway if there’s still a top layer of moisture or dirt present, according to Jane Wilson of the DIY blog Modern Housewives. She recommends letting the driveway dry out for 48 hours.
If necessary, power-wash the driveway a second time to ensure that the surface is completely clear.
Step 4: Seal cracks or potholes
After you’ve cleaned the surface of your driveway, put on those rubber boots and get ready to get a little messy. It’s time to start the sealing process.
Fill in any large cracks or potholes with crack filler.
Step 5: Push wet asphalt along the perimeter of your driveway
To give you a visual guide of where to stop spreading the asphalt, use the long-handle, soft-bristle brush to push the wet asphalt along the sides of the driveway, as well as the bottom, where it meets the garage (if you have one).
This will give you a visual guide of where to stop spreading the asphalt as you coat the rest of the driveway, so the asphalt doesn’t stain any other surfaces.
Work the brush in a push-pull motion to make sure these areas are coated in an even layer of asphalt, and take care to make sure that it doesn’t spread onto the grass or your garage floor.
Step 6: Fill in the driveway with asphalt
Once you’ve created a border along the top and sides of your driveway, fill in the rest of the driveway with an even layer of asphalt. It dries quickly, so it’s best to work in sections of 2 to 3 gallons of the sealant at a time.
Work the squeegee in a push-pull motion to evenly distribute the asphalt. Make sure to go over each section multiple times; you want to be certain the entire driveway surface is evenly coated with asphalt and that any noticeable cracks have been filled in.
Step 7: Create a border line of asphalt
When you’ve reached the end of the driveway, break out the bristle brush again. Here, you’ll want to create another border line where the top of your driveway meets the sidewalk. Again, you’ll want to use a push-pull motion to make sure that the asphalt coats the area evenly. You’ll also want to keep any excess from spilling onto the pavement.
After you’re done, refrain from walking on the driveway for the next few days so the asphalt can set.
Original post here https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/how-to-reseal-a-driveway/.
