Despite the notion that Fall is the best time, it's really when nighttime temperatures remain above 50F and certainly BEFORE the leaves on the trees fall. So, if you didn't protect your driveway in the Fall, then it's ok to make the repairs and seal in the Spring as long as the temperature is right.

There are basically two types of seal. Both are coal tar emulsion—water-based. Neither offers a luster. Guarantees for the product range anywhere from two to eight years.

1) Aqueous - liquid-like, recommended for new or driveways in excellent condition, not recommended for filling hairline fractures or cracks.

2) Aqueous Filler - liquid like with a fine grade of suspended sand designed to fill in hairline fractures, provide traction, and good footing against black ice.

Yes. Your driveway is made from macadam. Because a hairline fracture is smaller than the aggregate found in macadam, we use a liquid solution. Since liquid cannot replicate the shape and size of the aggregate, an outline tracing the fracture will always exist even though the fracture is sealed closed.

Yes. Understanding the origin of fractures is important. Sealing seals the "FRACTURES"... It's a topical esthetic. It's not the holy grail and doesn't prevent future cracking... It does, however, protect the surface against oil, brake fluid, and antifreeze from ruining and penetrating in the event of an auto leak. Heavy vehicles can contribute too. The earth's mantle is always moving... The ground is always moving... There's always underground water, which causes erosion beneath the macadam and that is why you will always get cracks as the support system becomes compromised each time it rains. First, you will get fractures... Then, with further ground movement, they will expand to cracks. If you may need some kind of curtain above, left or right of the driveway to steer the water away. This may help to preempt further erosion beneath the macadam, thereby eliminating future fractures which lead to cracks.

A clean surface, free of oil, grease, moss, sediment, or crumbling asphalt is preeminent in order to ensure there is adhesion to the surface.  Preparation is everything!

There are several methods associated with preparing the surface.

• Leaf blower (ok when the driveway is in full sun all day and no signs of moss, grease)
• Torch – using propane gas (when there is a weed or two, followed by a leaf blower)
• Power Washing - Our Preferred Method, uses cleaning, degreasing agents, and antifungals (when there is either grease, oil, moss, algae, and Belgium Block.

For the cheapest, there are coupon books in the mail with all kinds of deals. Be careful! The oldest trick in the book is an extraordinary cheap estimate. A truck with a large tanker on the back contains a "pre mix" which means that it's possible that the solution may be "watered down." Now that the law prohibits oil base coal tar emulsions (oil and water doesn't mix), nonscrupulous, nonlicensed contractors will give you a great price because they're selling you a watered-down product, or even motor oil. It will look great for a little while but will not hold up. This is why so many homeowners get caught up in sealing their driveway every year.

Start out by recognizing that penny wise is pound foolish! Spending good money every 3 or 4 years even if it's 20% or 25% more is better than good money at 20% less spent every year.

Depend on a contractor that brings sealed 5-gallon containers to the job site and mixes the solution on your property to ensure you're getting a full concentrated nonwatered-down solution. Brushing the solution as opposed to the spray method ensures that the seal is deeply seated in the aggregate where protection is needed the most.

Any product that's guaranteed to last 4 years or more will cost more but doesn't make any sense since the snowplow, snow blower, or even the ice pick could scrape away the most expensive 8 and 10-year seals in the first snowfall!

Please contact us any time should you have a question or wish to receive a no-obligation evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you.