How To Seal an Asphalt Driveway

You must clean and prime your driveway before applying any sealant. Start with a garden hose or a soap nozzle and spread the asphalt cleaner onto your driveway. Switch to a stiff-bristle push broom and sweep the entire surface. This will remove dirt, tree sap, and the oil film often deposited from the exhaust gas, which would prevent your sealant from properly sticking to the driveway.

After sweeping, switch to a pressure washer to wash off the soapy residue. While asphalt is sturdy and impact-resistant, it is not unbreakable. Therefore, make sure to set your nozzle to the lowest pressure and maintain a 40-degree angle against the ground. You should also move the nozzle evenly across the surface because pointing at the same spot for too long could damage the asphalt layer. Make sure the driveway is completely dry before proceeding with the next step.

For proper sealing, you’d want as clean and flat a surface as possible. After the general cleaning, it’s time to pretreat oil stains and patch up any small cracks and holes. Use an oil spot primer to cover the stains so your sealant can stick. Stubborn stains might require an additional layer of primer. Wait until the primer is fully cured before applying sealant.

You also need to fill in any cracks and holes before proceeding. For cracks and holes smaller than half an inch in diameter, use a regular crack filler. For larger holes and cracks, use a driveway patch. Flatten the filling with a squeegee and allow the material to fully cure. Crack fillers take 6 to 8 hours to cure, whereas driveway patches take 4 to 6 weeks.

Choose one area on the driveway and cover it with poly sheeting to prevent spills. Remove the paid lid and cut a small hole in the center. Insert the mixing paddle. Start mixing from the top of the pail, then slowly lower the paddle to the bottom. Repeat this cycle by moving the paddle up and down until the sealant reaches a smooth consistency.

With a dashing brush, coat the edges of your driveway first. Make sure the sealant layer is thick enough to fill in all the pores. You’ll need to cut in any edges that meet a structure, such as a garage, by hand with a larger brush. Cover all four edges by going from the top of your driveway to the bottom so you don’t have to backtrack yourself.

Though not mandatory, staging the pails along the driveway creates a smooth workflow so you don’t have to stop and grab a new pail after the previous one runs out. Your pail should tell you how much surface it can cover on the container. You can also estimate how much each one can cover and place it accordingly on the driveway.

Now, you’re ready to seal the rest of your asphalt driveway. Pour a line of sealant on one edge following the width of your driveway. Use a squeegee to pull and compress the sealant into the driveway. Holding the squeegee at 45 degrees with both hands makes it easier to spread the sealant evenly. Avoid applying too much pressure. You’ll know if you see sealant being pushed over the squeegee. Move at a steady pressure and speed until the driveway is fully covered.

Depending on your situation, you might need to apply a second coat of sealant. For example, if you have heavy-duty vehicles, tend to tow heavy equipment or luggage, or live in an area with extreme weather, a second layer would protect your asphalt driveway more thoroughly. Be sure to let the sealer dry for 48 hours before applying a second layer.