Sealing your driveway isn’t something that you can just wake up and decide that you want to do. There is actually a bit of planning that must go along with that.
Hire a contractor instead?
Knowing that driveway sealing isn’t something that is an easy task to tackle, you may consider hiring a contractor. Well there are a few guidelines up ahead for you to read about so that you can know just what to do and what not to do when you are considering a contractor for hire. The thing that you need to keep in mind is that there are a lot of companies out there who are false and just out to scam you and get your money. You will want to know what to look for when dealing with these people. Continue to read on to learn how you deal with this situation.
Contractors that try to “sell” you the best deal ever!
You may or may not come across some contractors who come to your door trying to offer you the best deal ever.
These people more often than not use leftover sealer and asphalt to work on peoples’ driveways, and by the time you find out the truth about them it is too late and they are nowhere to be found. This is why the importance of getting referrals and reading online reviews is necessary to make sure you find a legit contractor to work with.
One thing that I have to say, is if it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is too good to be true.
Driveway Maintenance specialist only!
If you want to make sure that you steer clear of the scammers, then you’ll want to make sure you hire a contractor that specializes only in the maintenance of driveways.
How is the sealer applied?
Do your research to learn the proper techniques on how sealer is applied. The most common method used to apply sealer is with a brush that is used to apply. Squeegees are also occasionally used. However, the worst method possible to use is the spray. Sealer that has been reduced to the consistency of a spray is not good because that means there was water added; the thickness of the product has been thinned. When a spray sealer is used, it will look good for about a month and then the area that was sprayed will go back to its previous state.
What sealer product is used?
If a sealer is oil based then it will absorb into your driveway. Asphalt is already made of mostly oil which makes sense as to why an oil based sealer will just seep right in with the pavement.
If a latex sealer is used then it will act as a paint; like on the walls inside your home. The latex based product would eventually start to peel leaving you with the same unsealed cracks that you were trying to resolve.
Coal tar emulsion is the type of sealer that you’ll want the contractor to use to repair the cracks that are in your asphalt. It soaks very well into the surface of the asphalt without seeping in and blending with the asphalt. The bond is very strong which keeps it from cracking; it is able to withstand the majority of weather conditions. Coal tar emulsion generally only has about 2% of oil in its mixture.
Has sand been added to the sealer?
Sand is actually very beneficial to the sealer when added, because it keeps the sealer from being slippery to walk on and it also adds flexibility to the sealer.
What’s the square footage of your driveway?
It’s quite important to know what the square footage of your driveway is so that the contractor can give you an appropriate estimate of how much it will cost for the sealing work. The contractor is supposed to come and take a look at your driveway in order to give you a quote. No quote is ever an accurate quote over the phone, so always make sure the contractor can come out to your residence to give you a proper quote.
Great! Now you know everything that you need to know when it comes to hiring a contractor for sealing the cracks in your asphalt driveway. If you are still considering trying to do this task yourself, you should know that the task requires a lot of tools and it is very time consuming. Hiring a contractor is in your best interest because you want to make sure the job is done correctly the first time.
Just remember that a coal tar based sealer needs to be used for the best, long-lasting results! Do your research on the companies that offer this service and don’t settle for anything less than top notch quality!