If you have an asphalt driveway, as a majority of homes do, you may have heard talk of sealcoating your Marlboro NJ driveway.  What is it and do you have to do it?  If you do, how do you go about it?  Sealcoating can be both an easy job and a very labor-intensive job depending on the age, condition, and size of your driveway.  Some general rules of thumb when it comes to sealcoating is to only do it about every 3 years, if your driveway is covered in alligator cracks, it won’t be helpful, don’t apply to concrete, and when in doubt, call in TDM Construction, the professionals of sealcoating in Marlboro NJ!

Asphalt driveways are easily affected by weather, environment, and heavy use.  Oxidation, excessive heat, and oil and other auto liquids can wreak havoc on your driveway resulting in cracks, pits, and a crumbling surface.  If your driveway has major imperfections whether they are from improper installation or just age and natural influences, it is best to contact a company to evaluate the job.  Sealcoating does help protect a well-laid driveway, but will not prove to be much help in a driveway that already has major flaws.

Once you have determined that sealcoating is an appropriate treatment for your driveway, there are certain steps you need to take to prepare your driveway for application.

1. Ensure the driveway is clean. Use a broom, hose, or leaf blower to make sure the surface is clear of any dirt or debris.
2. If your driveway bleeds into other areas, you may want to tape the edges of the driveway so the sealant does not encroach on those surfaces.
3. Make sure the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 24 hours on either side of the application. Any colder and it can affect the process.  Also, check for rain a day or two before and after putting the sealcoat down.  If there is rain in the forecast, it is best to wait.
4. Be sure that the driveway can be unused for 24 to 48 hours following the product being applied. It needs this much time to cure to make sure the surface is clean and free from any divots or imperfections.
5. Cover any grease or gas marks with an appropriate product and fill in any minor cracks with a filler.

Now that your driveway is ready for its fresh face, you’re ready to apply.  Make sure you get enough product to cover your driveway in one application.  You don’t want to apply it in more than one session as it will result in an uneven surface.  You may want to place the buckets of the product at the approximate area where each bucket will end so that you do not have to walk over the driveway as you go.  When you are ready, mix the product with a paddle mixer (a wooden stir stick will not suffice), open the bucket and pour a six-inch wide strip or an upside-down U onto the driveway starting closest to your home and moving down towards the street.  Using a driveway squeegee, spread out the product strip by strip until you are at the street.  Always maintain a puddle of product in front of the squeegee.  Once done with the first coat, wait 24 hours, then apply the second coat in a perpendicular direction from the first application.

When two full coats of sealant are applied, let it cure for approximately 48 hours before you let anyone drive on it.  If you fail to properly prepare your driveway for the treatment, it will result in failure.  It may crack or flake off.  If you apply too much sealcoat, whether in one application or if you apply sealcoat too often, it will also defeat the purpose.

If you need help sealcoating your Marlboro NJ driveway, contact a professional.

While smaller driveways may be a DIY project, a larger driveway may be too much for a homeowner to handle in an appropriate amount of time.  A qualified company can help you sealcoat your driveway in Marlboro NJ to perfection.