Black top driveway sealer

[Aarons Air]

My parents have a large black top driveway, that is in need of sealing. They're no longer able to keep up with it, so i've inherited the task. Is it worth doing it yourself, with the buckets of store bought sealer & squeegee, or is it best left to a company that sprays it ?

 

[65pacecar]

I have a large driveway, I used a local guy with a great reputation and he did an incredible job in a few hours. I am a do it yourselfer on most things but found it worth paying for this one considering the cost of a pro to do it. Their equipment makes easy work of it.

 

[Dibbons]

Many contractors who do this type of work are of the "fly by night" variety. Mine promised to return to correct deficiencies in accord with his "guarantee" but he soon vanished into thin air. It's best to find someone that's been around a long, long time if you are not doing it yourself.

 

[kiwigtx]

Their equipment makes easy work of it.

That is the biggest part of the job - the equipment, and the condition of it once the job is complete. Have a look at the guys and their tools next time they are working somewhere. Be prepared to sacrifice good tools for the sake of saving a few bucks to do it yourself.

Find a local reputable/long-standing company who can do the job for you. It's one messy job.

 

[VANDAN]

I've done mine many times, by the buckets, when the product used to be cheaper $$. With the cost of it now, you're better off finding a reputable company, that has a fair price, and get it done. The savings, if any, aren't worth the time & effort to sweat it...

 

[Ranger16]

I would not let anyone spray it on. That's not much more than a paint job (in my opinion). In fact, the guy I use won't even squeegee it. He brushes it on.

If you DIY, read up on the different types of sealant. I prefer coal tar emulsion. It smells a bit the first day, but is more impervious to gas and oil.

 

[Aarons Air]

I would not let anyone spray it on. That's not much more than a paint job (in my opinion). In fact, the guy I use won't even squeegee it. He brushes it on.

If you DIY, read up on the different types of sealant. I prefer coal tar emulsion. It smells a bit the first day, but is more impervious to gas and oil.

I wondered about how thick the spray would be. I'm sure the thinner they spray, the higher the profit. Thanks for the coal tar emulsion tip.

 

[65pacecar]

I would not let anyone spray it on. That's not much more than a paint job (in my opinion). In fact, the guy I use won't even squeegee it. He brushes it on.

If you DIY, read up on the different types of sealant. I prefer coal tar emulsion. It smells a bit the first day, but is more impervious to gas and oil.

I agree, the guy I use only brushes and uses the coal tar formula. It is the best way to go. He has a sends a crew based on the size of the job, sends a guy to clean ahead of the crew and when cleaned, the rest of the crew rolls in and starts brushing. It's some.messy work.

 

[Aarons Air]

I agree, the guy I use only brushes and the coal tar formula. It is the beat way to go. He has a decent crew based on the side of the job, sends a guy to clean ahead of the crew and do the Oreo, the rest roll.in and start brushing. It's some.messy work.

Forgive my ignorance, but what is, " do the oreo" ?

 

[Ron H]

I agree with the suggestions to have it done by a reputable firm and using quality materials. Years ago, as a younger guy in my old house with an asphalt driveway, used to do that chore myself. Looking back, and seeing quality work done that lasts longer, I'd delete this job from my DIY list. Kinda like oil changes on my vehicles, the cost isn't that different btw doing it and having it done anymore. Though I still do my old ride...wife's car, my two trucks, I take it in. Less oil and filters to collect and run to the recycle center. And ahh...in my case, age is likely in this mix.

 

[Charger Dana]

You could just use tire rubber...

 

[65pacecar]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is, " do the oreo" ?

Freaking spell.check. this phone is horrible.for. it. Good cookies though.

 

[Richard Cranium]

My parents have a large black top driveway, that is in need of sealing. They're no longer able to keep up with it, so i've inherited the task. Is it worth doing it yourself, with the buckets of store bought sealer & squeegee, or is it best left to a company that sprays it ?

Black top matters.

 

[FU64RY]

I wondered about how thick the spray would be. I'm sure the thinner they spray, the higher the profit. Thanks for the coal tar emulsion tip.

Total scam.............My barn; 3 driveways and court yard between the barn and pole building have never in 14 years been sealed, it is still in fine condition, no matter what spray you use it will need redone in a year or two.
My neighbor who operates a hot rod shop with lots of car and truck traffic never had his sealed in like 30 years other than not being black it is fine also.

 

[bandit67]

Done mine using 5 gallon buckets of "asphalt sealer", looked great for about two years and has now faded quite a bit. But here is something NOT expected. I have a scrub oak tree about 10 yards in the yard below where the driveway runoff water flows. It killed the oak tree within a year. These crappy trees are as tough as they and nothing but a chain saw takes them out.....but I am quite sure the sealer runoff did this one in.

 

[slepr1]

I wondered about how thick the spray would be. I'm sure the thinner they spray, the higher the profit. Thanks for the coal tar emulsion tip.

They thin down the black top. Spraying is the most profitable way to apply. I've had both sprayed and broomed. I like the broomed one better. I price it out every time I get it done and there's not enough meat on the bone for me to save.

 

[Fran Blacker]

After I had my driveway done looked online whether sealing made a difference, most thought its not worth it. For what online opinions are worth? Didn't do mine.

 

[furyus]

I want to add that if your driveway is on a hill, make sure you have the sealer with sand in it. Makes a big difference in bad weather. One time I used the no sand type, and a couple people slipped, and fell. Also, my truck started to slide down the driveway.

 

[68gtxman]

I sealed my previous driveway surface, twice in 15 years. Not sure I will again. I talked to a lot striper subcontractor years ago and he strongly advised against sealer. He said to look at older parking lots and the surface always cracks right at where the stripes are painted. He was right about that, though my old driveway didn’t crack after sealing it. I repaved it after around 20 years (two years ago). It’s about 600 feet long.