Driveway sealing

[ecduzitgood]

Besides esthetic's is there any reason to seal coat a driveway? Is it even necessary or beneficial?

[UserRemoved1]

Yes it seals the cracks that allow water to penetrate and freeze in the winter. Best recommended it be done every 3-4 years.

[JohnnyD]

What salty said. With water having that annoying property of expanding when it freezes, the melted water gets into the cracks then freezes and when it freezes it gradually makes the cracks worse.

[ecduzitgood]

Thanks...I think; now I have a nother project to get done

[Jimbo]

Been thinking about doing this. My driveway is ten years old and I don't have any cracks. Would putting a sealer on it prevent them from happening?

[UserRemoved1]

word to the wise....

wait til September or October...

You would probably KILL yourself if you did it on a day like this. To me the temperature around the stuff on a sunny day is about 20 degrees warmer than normal. Cool days rock. Clean the driveway real good-if you got mud etc on it anywhere then hose it off. Broom won't clean it good.

Clean any oil spots with tsp/water and a brush. Use the brush for a thicker coat and the squeegee for a thin. I don't like the thickness with the squeegee although it looks better.

My driveway takes 4.5 buckets to do. When you get done with yours I'll have mine ready for you

[UserRemoved1]

May not prevent them but sure will add years to the life of the driveway.

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Been thinking about doing this. My driveway is ten years old and I don't have any cracks. Would putting a sealer on it prevent them from happening?

[Jimbo]

Brings up a couple other thoughts. Doing it myself, yes Sept-Oct would probably be best, as with the heat we've been getting if I did it now, I'm quite sure my family would find me face down in black gook when they came home.
A while ago this guy told me if you do your driveway try to use a creosote based sealer. Environmental protection-wise does the stuff exist. I guess the alternative is latex based? There's some small operations that do this in our area and I've noticed what they put down is already coming off after a couple years.

[O.D. Mike]

Originally Posted by ecduzitgood

Thanks...I think; now I have a nother project to get done

Great!! When your done with yours come over and do mine!!

[PRBuzz]

Remember to fill any wide (1/4+") first with the special filler before coating. Then as ODM requested: come over and do mine, too.

[Raven]

not just ice
but weed seeds grow in cracks
and when their root stems swell
they actually lift the driveway up like a volcano
allowing for more water to get in there.
some mushrooms will even push right thru

[MakoMike]

I had mine done by Allstate Sealing based somewhere in Northern RI. They didn't charge me much more than I would have paid for all the materials. IMHO well worth it.