Curb appeal is an important factor to consider when managing the appearance of one's home, and especially if planning to sell the house. A guest’s first impression of a home begins the moment he or she turns onto the street and into the driveway. A freshly sealed driveway will improve a buyer's first impression of a home and immediately improve its value.
Why Seal a Driveway?
Sealing a driveway with liquid asphalt is an inexpensive way to protect the investment that has been made in the driveway. Ultra-violet rays can damage it, but sealing moisturizes a driveway, helping to prevent cracks and creating an oil- and weather-resistant seal.
What is Driveway Sealant?
Usually, the product that is used when a driveway is professionally sealed is a petroleum-based product known as liquid asphalt. This is the same product that is already found in the driveway. Liquid asphalt, sand and gravel are heated and compacted when a driveway is first installed.
Make an Appointment
A reputable company with which to book an appointment can be found by searching the yellow pages under “driveway sealing.” Appointments should be booked according to the upcoming weather forecast, avoiding days when rain is predicted. When booking an appointment, home owners should ask if the company will provide any additional services such as cleaning to driveway prior to sealing it. If not, the home owner will need to hose down his or her driveway a day or two before the driveway sealant is applied, or use a stiff-bristled broom to sweep the driveway clean.
Driveway Sealing and Weather
Provided the driveway is not wet when it is actually sprayed, rainy weather will not prevent the home owner from having the driveway sealed. The driveway must be dry when it is sprayed, but if, for example, it begins to rain as soon as the spray is applied, the seal will still remain intact. The sealant is oil-based and will repel water.Driveways can be sealed anytime during the year provided the temperature remains consistently above 10°C.
Protecting One's Property
A reputable company will ensure that the home owner's lawn, brickwork, landscaping or other personal property will not be damaged by over-spraying of the sealant. After the driveway is sealed it will be dry to the touch, depending on the temperature that day. It will dry very quickly, within three to four hours in warm summer temperatures of 25-30°C. Vehicles should be kept off of the driveway’s surface for 24 hours, if possible.
Do it Yourself?
While it is possible to seal one's own driveway, products that are available via local retail, often containing latex, are usually of a poorer quality than professionally applied liquid asphalt. It acts as a latex paint, adding a layer to the top of the driveway surface without penetrating or moisturizing the driveway. Small “spider-cracks” can appear following the application of latex-based products.
Spending a few additional dollars on a higher-quality product applied by professionals is the best way to protect a driveway and add curb appeal to any home.
Amy Urquhart - Amy Urquhart is an editor, freelance writer, wife, mother and gardener living in Bowmanville, Ontario. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts ...
