Get matched with top driveway sealcoating pros in Pleasant Hill, IL

If you notice minor cosmetic problems with your driveway, you should seal it. Look out for cracks and holes on the surface, faded asphalt or concrete, and stains from oil and other chemicals. Replacing your driveway may be necessary if you’re dealing with significant problems—¼-inch cracks, large potholes, and puddles from drainage issues. The cost to install an asphalt driveway typically ranges between $4,200 and $9,000, significantly more than resealing. Consider talking to a professional to discuss whether resurfacing your driveway—a midway project between resealing and replacing—is a better option for you.

If the goal is to reduce your lifetime asphalt driveway repair cost, driveway sealers with oil bases tend to last longer because their composition allows them to penetrate deeper into your driveway's asphalt. This provides deeper, longer-lasting protection compared to water-based products that tend to simply sit on the surface of the asphalt. Knowing that you won't have to redo your driveway as often could leave more room in your budget to cover something like the cost of a heated driveway.

Sealcoating is worth the investment because it protects your driveway from damage, extending its life and the timeframe in which you need to replace it. Sealcoating costs around $500 on average, while replacing a driveway costs about $5,000. Sealcoating delays the need for replacement and it also helps keep your driveway looking newer for longer. As an added bonus, sealcoating can boost your property value and curb appeal, making it worth the sealing cost once every five years.

The three most common types of asphalt are hot asphalt, MC cold mix, and UPM asphalt. Hot asphalt is used most often for paving and patching roadways while it’s hot and workable. MC cold mix asphalt cures more slowly than hot asphalt, but it can be used for temporary patches and repairs in low-traffic areas. UPM is also used cold, but it can be used as a longer-term fix, usable in almost any conditions at almost any temperature.