Sealing Asphalt Driveways
The Pros and Cons

What are the benefits of sealing an asphalt driveway?

Over the years, many homeowners have asked me, “Is there really any benefit to sealing my asphalt driveway?” And my answer is always the same. Yes. Definitely.

The pros far outweigh the cons in my opinion, and to me it’s just something you plan on doing every 3 to 5 years. It really makes the driveway look sharp and tidy, but also has many benefits.

But don’t just take my word for it. Let me explain the pros and cons of sealing your asphalt driveway.

The Cons

I like to get the cons out of the way first. Reason being, if the cons of sealing your asphalt driveway far outweigh the pros, then your reading time is almost cut in half.

So let’s talk about the cons:

• Odors – If the wrong sealer is used, it can smell for days or even weeks. Especially on hot days.
• Difficulty Finding Companies – Companies come and go frequently which makes it difficult to find companies that do it, let alone a a reputable company that really knows that they’re doing.
• Scheduling Issues – Sealing an asphalt driveway is weather dependent which is why we see it done most frequently in the summer months. Temperatures must be 50 degrees and rising to be applied and there must be no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours.
• Potential for Over-Sealing – Sealcoating should not be done too frequently, particularly if the material is coal-tar based. Over sealing can cause premature failure resulting in having to replace the driveway sooner than it should be.
• Temporary Fix or Wasted Money – In some cases, depending on how damaged your asphalt driveway is, it can be a “band aid” or temporary fix. One of the owners of a company I worked for used to say it well “Sealing a severely damaged asphalt driveway is like painting a wrecked car. It’s still a wrecked car. It’s just painted.

The Pros

Now let’s get to the pros. I think you’ll see, just like me, sealing an asphalt driveway is well worth it!

• Extends The Life Of The Pavement – First and foremost, sealcoating has been proven to increase the life of an asphalt driveway. Asphalt sealer protects the asphalt from oxidation from the sun and slows down the deterioration process resulting in less frequent replacement or need for an additional layer of asphalt to be installed which can save a lot of money!
• Helps Prevents Damage – Sealing the asphalt can also help protect from fuel, oil and chemical spills which can not only damage the asphalt, but can also permanently stain it.
• Enhances The Appearance – As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, it really makes the driveway look sharp and tidy. There’s nothing more appealing than a freshly sealed, jet black asphalt driveway!
• Maintain Home Value – Keeping your asphalt driveway in top shape can help maintain your homes value. If you ever decide to sell, a well kept asphalt driveway will help your home sell much faster.
• Ice & Snow melt FAST! – If you live in an area of the country that has ice and snow, sealing the asphalt can make it black again which soaks up the suns rays, heats up the asphalt faster anc melts the ice and snow fast!

In Summary

As you can see, the cons are very minor compared to the pros. The benefits can save you money long term, enhancing the life span fairly dramatically.

Generally speaking, an asphalt driveway should be sealed approximately every 3 to 5 years, depending on the type of sealer used.

To me, it’s worth it! I hope you agree!