Sealing your driveway keeps it looking fresh and stops small cracks turning into big ones. It is normally a job for the pros, but if the budget is tight and the driveway is in reasonable shape, a careful DIY seal is a practical way to buy some time. Done properly it protects the surface from sun, rain and everyday wear. Done in a rush, it peels and you are back where you started. Here is how to do it right.
First, use the right sealant
Buying the wrong product is an expensive mistake. Asphalt driveways want a coal tar, rubberised or asphalt-based sealer; concrete wants an epoxy, silicate or acrylic. Measure the driveway before you shop so you buy enough to cover it in one go, since a half-finished coat sets unevenly.
Gather your gear
You will want a pressure washer or a hose with a spray nozzle, a degreasing detergent, a stiff-bristled brush, a squeegee or sealant applicator, gloves, and some tape to protect edges and borders.
Prepare the surface properly
Skipping the prep is the most common DIY failure. Sealant will not stick to a dirty driveway. Sweep it, clear out weeds and grass, then wash it down with detergent and scrub off oil stains, grime and fuel residue. On heavily oil-stained patches, an oil-spot primer helps the sealer bond, and a second coat of primer on the worst spots is worth the effort. Let everything dry.
Fill cracks before you seal
Sealant alone will not fill holes or cracks, so patch them first with a crack sealer or patching compound, following the product instructions, and let it cure before you go over the top.
Pick your weather window
Seal on a dry day with no rain forecast for the next three days, and give the sealant at least 24 hours to cure. Warm is good, but avoid the hottest part of a scorching day, because extreme heat makes the sealant skin over and dry too fast to spread evenly. In our climate, a settled, moderate day gives the best result.
Apply in sections
Start in one corner and work across a manageable patch at a time, spreading a thin, even coat with the applicator or a clean push broom. Many people lay a thin first coat and come back the next day for a second. Thin and even beats thick and patchy every time.
When to bring in a professional
DIY sealing suits a driveway that is basically sound. If you have widespread cracking, potholes, drainage problems or a surface that is breaking up, sealing over the top only hides the problem. That is when it pays to have it done properly.
We look after driveways and road sealing right across South East Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba. Get in touch for honest advice and a free written quote.