Asphalt Driveway Crack Sealer
Robert
Asphalt driveways are made up of a mixture of concrete, crushed stone, gravel, and sand held together by oils. When ultraviolet (UV) rays beat down on your driveway all day long, they eventually dry out those oils, which hold the concrete and asphalt together. That leads to cracks and overall deterioration. The best driveway sealers seal the surface and keep UV rays and other elements from affecting it.
We came up with a list of different selections for different surface types to help keep your driveway protected, including our best overall pick, the Henry 200 Driveway E-Z Stir Asphalt Filler & Sealer, chosen for its ease of application and affordability.
A combination of gel and fast-drying technology makes Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 the best fast-drying driveway sealer. In good drying conditions, your driveway will be ready for foot traffic just one hour after application. It will be completely cured and ready for vehicle traffic 24 hours after application. This sealer also features Clima-Seal technology which allows it to cure in cooler temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas most sealers require temperatures to be at least 55 degrees in order to cure.
Like most sealers, coverage depends on the condition of your driveway. That being said, if you apply a thin layer or sealer with a squeegee, you can expect one 4.75-gallon bucket to cover up to 350 square feet of smooth asphalt. And, while you should use a crack filler or asphalt patch for cracks larger than 1 inch and potholes, this sealer contains sand particles that allow it to fill in small cracks. Once fully cured, your driveway will look good as new and have a clean, matte black finish.
Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is a fast and easy way to add curb appeal to your home. This water-based sealer is non-toxic and formulated to withstand strong UV rays and weathering. It provides a hard yet flexible coating that resists chipping and cracking and leaves even the most neglected driveways looking brand new.
One bucket covers up to 250 square feet, and two to three coats are recommended in order to build up the protective waterproofing membrane. This sealer can be applied with a brush, foam squeegee, or paint roller. Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore cures within 48 hours and has a jet black, matte finish.
Two wet-on-wet coats are needed to ensure complete coverage. To apply, saturate the surface using a roller, brush, or low-pressure, non-atomizing sprayer. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the first coat to penetrate the surface. Then apply a second coat before the first coat dries. This sealer takes 4 to 6 hours to dry and will be ready for foot and vehicle traffic in 24 hours. If applied by a certified applicator, you can expect this sealer to last up to 10 years before reapplication is required, according to the manufacturer.
The Eco Advance sealer comes in a 1-gallon jug and must be mixed with clean water in a garden pump sprayer before use. The coverage depends on the surface, but 1 gallon can cover up to 400 square feet of smooth, concrete surface, up to 300 square feet of textured concrete, and up to 200 square feet of porous brick, stucco, or sandstone surfaces. It dries with a clear, matte finish and will be dry to the touch within one hour. However, it takes 24 hours to fully cure, so be sure not to drive on it for at least a day. With proper application, you can expect this sealer to offer three to five years of protection.
Sealer Type: When choosing a driveway sealer, Archie advises staying away from coal tar sealers. Coal tar sealers have a strong tar-like odor and contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Additionally, these sealers are not environmentally friendly, contain carcinogens, and have even been banned in some cities and states.
Asphalt sealers, on the other hand, come from oil wells. The oil is forced to mix with water using emulsifying agents such as soaps, explains Archie. They contain many of the same ingredients as the existing asphalt driveway, emit fewer toxic fumes, and can even fill small cracks. Many asphalt sealers create a hard yet flexible surface that can expand and contract throughout the changing temperatures and are less likely to crack.
And, while some sealers are marketed as long-lasting, both Archie and Larue advise resealing every few years. According to Archie, a quality seal coat should last three to four years. Larue advises checking your driveway for crumbling or drying at least every other year. There are exceptions, of course. Larue points out that people who live in parts of the country with extreme sun exposure may have to reseal their driveway every year.
Resistance to Weather Conditions: Sun exposure will dry out the asphalt in the driveway, making it brittle and causing it to break down over time. Salt and sand will speed up this process if not cleaned off, explains Larue. Sealing the surface keeps the sun and the elements from affecting the asphalt, and some sealers are fortified with extra UV protection. Others may be formulated specifically to withstand freeze-thaw cycles.
All of our asphalt sealer dries extremely fast. This product has a black matte finish. Additionally, it can fill in small fissures. This helps to prevent water and ice from causing costly damage or replacement.
Also known as blacktop sealer, this product provides a protective layer to your asphalt pavement's surface. Think of it as sunscreen for your asphalt. A coat or two of asphalt driveway sealer protects the pavement from UV rays and prevents it from cracking. And because the pavement doesn't crack easily, rainwater and snowmelt do not get a chance to drip into the cracks.
Asphalt sealant, however, is more than just a protective coating. It also restores the beauty of the asphalt long after it has faded. It gives the pavement a sleek black color that contrasts nicely with green lawns.
Asphalt is one of the strongest materials there is. But just like other materials, it degrades over time because of constant exposure to the elements, oils, and heavy traffic. As the years pass, the parking lot or driveway becomes susceptible to cracking.
Well-made asphalt pavements have an average lifespan of about 25 years. But you can delay damage and avoid costly replacement simply by applying asphalt sealant every 2 to 3 years. You can also have it sealed by a contractor if you cannot do it yourself.
*When using a sealcoat sprayer, our product provides a coverage of 100 square feet per gallon for a single coat or 100 square feet per 2 gallons for a double spray. Please note that when applying the sealcoat manually, the coverage will be lower, ranging from 50 to 60 square feet per gallon for hand application.
Del-Val 510 Driveway Sealer is designed to protect and beautify sound asphalt surfaces. Blended from the high-quality reined asphalt, Del-Val 510 Driveway Sealer promotes longer life and early wash-off resistance. This product contains no harmful solvents and is free of the irritating odors associated with Coal Tar sealers. Del-Val 510 Driveway Sealer will provide a tough, durable, rich black finish and is resistant to tracking.
APPLY sealer with a roller or long handled Driveway Applicator, (squeegee on one side and brush on the other), at a rate of 1 gallon per 100 square feet. To assure proper coverage, measure out 1 gallon of sealer and apply to a pre-measured area of 100 square feet (10 ft. X 10 ft.). Spread sealer evenly and thinly with the squeegee part of applicator. Use the brush end of applicator to work sealer into rough areas and remove excess sealer from low areas.
FINISH the area with a light pass of the brush assuring that all finishing strikes are in one direction for best appearance. Using the above application rate, continue to pour, spread and brush the sealer over the remaining surface.
Black Jack Drive-MaxxTM 500 is a better quality blacktop filler and sealer designed for asphalt pavements. This E-Z stir formula is latex enhanced which provides added durability to the finish. This product helps renew the look of the driveway, and contains sand particles to help fill in small cracks in the surface.
I have a section of recycled asphalt chips to the left of my concrete driveway, which we use parking a second car. The asphalt rocks leave a mess in the yard and in the driveway. Could I use asphalt sealer over top the gravel to form a more solid surface? I've thought about using some landscape edging to keep some of the gravel in place, but that may not be a permanent solution. Any ideas or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks!
Instead, watch your local community sale websites for used or leftover concrete pavers. You want the heavy duty ones, which are about 2-1/2" thick. With a little patience and luck you should find a relatively inexpensive lot that will give you proper pavement for life. You could even use the recycled asphalt concrete as a base, with a little sand over the top to make leveling easier.
My boyfriend has a driveway with a crushed run base, #57 stone topped on that, recycled pavement dust over that, with bagged asphalt for the top layer. He got it to fuse using 1 part gasoline* to 2 parts diesel fuel. It was sprinkled with a watering can, then packed with a tamper. After a week of 90 degrees, it finally cured. He then thinned down driveway sealer with water & sprinkled it again. He used a small push broom to even the sealer & edge the sides. He let it dry one day & rebrushed the surface. This removes the shiny random areas. After another day he packed it with a riding mower making sure most ridges & any protruding gravels are flat. He then waited 2 more days to final coat the top with black sand. The blacktop sealant takes longer to cure on a tar & gravel mix. (cold patch) It turned out nice, & on a hot day it self heals. Takes around a week before you can park a car on it. *FIRE HAZARD?- Do not smoke or run engines around driveway until the gasoline evaporates!