Pros and Cons of Sealing Asphalt and Concrete Driveways
Is sealing a driveway worth it? Weigh the pros and cons to find out
Highlights
Sealing your driveway protects it from damage from the elements and vehicle fluids.
Sealant keeps your driveway looking good and extends its life.
Driveway sealing saves you money in the long run.
However, it costs a lot upfront, and there are a few disadvantages to consider.
As a homeowner, you get a sense of pride looking out over a gleaming, pristine driveway without a single flaw. You're proud of how it adds to the appearance of your home, and you want to keep it looking that way. And that's why you may be considering sealing your driveway. But is it necessary to do this task, and are there any downsides?
What Is Driveway Sealing?
Seal-coating a driveway involves applying a liquid product over the pavement so that it fills any cracks and crevices. This prevents the elements from getting into those gaps and causing them to expand and widen, which leads to larger holes and cracks throughout the pavement over time.
5 Advantages of Sealing Your Driveway
The main advantages of sealing your driveway are obvious, but there are a few others you may not have thought of.
1. Keeps the Driveway Looking Good
We all have to keep up with the Joneses, and you won't be doing a good job of that if your driveway is all cracked and chipped, will you? In all seriousness, a sealed driveway really ties everything together when it comes to the appearance of your home. And that’s because it protects not only against damage, but also fading.
2. Extends the Life of Your Driveway
A seal coating will prevent damage to your driveway from UV rays, vehicle fluids, water, and more, which means it will last longer. Replacing a driveway can be expensive, so the longer you can keep your driveway looking great, the better.
3. Costs Less Than Repair or Replacement
The cost to seal an asphalt driveway is as little as $0.06 to $0.38 per square foot. Considering the fact that the cost to replace an asphalt driveway is between $8 and $15 per square foot, that's quite a savings.
4. Helps Melt Snow and Ice Faster
It's not the same thing as a heated driveway, but a seal coating will cause ice and snow buildup on your driveway to melt faster. This is good not just because it makes it easier to use your driveway, but also because it prevents long-term exposure to elements that can damage your driveway.
5. Easy to Maintain
Because of the smooth finish of a sealed driveway, you could clean it by using a broom. Also, because water won't cause damage as easily due to the sealant, you can rinse it with water without being worried about fluid seeping into cracks.
5 Disadvantages of Sealing Your Driveway
There are plenty of advantages as you can see, but you should be aware of a few reasons not to get your driveway sealed.
1. Extra Expense
It will save you money in the long run, but in the short run, it'll take a bite out of your wallet. The average asphalt driveway sealing cost is between $250 and $700 per 1,000 square feet, and the cost of concrete sealing is $1,500 to cover that much space, so it's not an insignificant sum to pay up front.
2. You Have to Do It Repeatedly
Sealant may preserve the life of the driveway, but the life of the seal coating itself may last only one or two years before you need to replace it. At most, you'll get about five years out of a coating.
3. Sealing Can’t Be Done During Winter
You should not apply a seal coating during the colder months, because it will affect the performance of the product. There are all-season sealants out there, but they are more expensive.
4. Doesn’t Provide Complete Protection
A seal coating will protect your driveway against most damage, but don't expect it to be perfect. There may still be cracks that form; there will just be fewer of them.
5. May Cause the Surface to Get Hotter in the Summer
One downside that might surprise you is just how scorching hot the seal coating will make your driveway during the summer months. A sealing job will give your driveway a dark color that will absorb sunlight, so definitely keep your shoes on when walking anywhere near it if the temperature is high.
What Time of Year Should You Seal Your Driveway?
Spring and summer are generally the best times to seal a driveway. That's because sealing during the colder months may affect the performance of the sealant, and falling leaves during autumn may stick to the sealer while it is wet.
How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway?
Manufacturers recommend applying a new seal coating on your driveway every two years. However, with proper maintenance, your seal coating may last as long as five years.
Can You DIY Driveway Sealing?
You can buy enough sealant to cover a typical driveway for about $100, which makes it tempting to save money by sealing a driveway as a DIY project, but this is a tricky job. You need to ensure the sealant is applied correctly, or you may discover too late that it wasn't, and your driveway is now damaged from the elements.
Instead, consider paying the extra few hundred bucks to have a professional do the job. Contact a driveway coating contractor in your area to get a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should always power wash your driveway before applying a sealant. At any given time, your driveway could be covered with algae and moss, tire residue, oil and rust stains, and any combination of leaves, twigs, and dirt. If you skip power washing, you’ll be trapping the dirt and grime beneath the sealant and lowering its chance of cementing itself to your driveway. While you can expect the cost to pressure wash your driveway to average between $100 and $350, the few hundred dollars beats an unattractive driveway or paying extra to reapply your driveway sealer.
Asphalt driveway sealer lasts approximately one to three years. Although the industry standard is to add fresh sealant every two years, this ultimately depends on where you live. Your driveway is subjected to elements like harsh sunlight, freezing temperatures, precipitation, and extra wear and tear that comes from foot traffic and heavy cars. If you start noticing small cracks or uneven drying on your driveway, it’s a sign that your previous seal coat has run its course and your driveway needs a new one.
If you notice minor cosmetic problems with your driveway, you should seal it. Look out for cracks and holes on the surface, faded asphalt or concrete, and stains from oil and other chemicals. Replacing your driveway may be necessary if you’re dealing with significant problems—¼-inch cracks, large potholes, and puddles from drainage issues. The cost to install an asphalt driveway typically ranges between $4,200 and $9,000, significantly more than resealing. Consider talking to a professional to discuss whether resurfacing your driveway—a midway project between resealing and replacing—is a better option for you.