Whether you’re planning a small driveway for one or two vehicles or an expansive parking lot with a paved driveway, it needs to be maintained regularly. When the bitumen is sealed, the dark rich color of the pavement is restored. At the same time, the cracks that form and allow water to enter are sealed under the surface and closed. The costs are not great compared to the cost of new asphalt and there are many benefits. If the size of the surface is large, the project can become time-consuming and labor-intensive for an amateur. However, for most smaller driveways, the project is a morning job to complete.
Begin the job by cleaning any of the larger cracks in the asphalt surface.
Any voice that is large enough to be easily seen needs attention. Smaller cracks only need to be addressed if grass is growing through the cracks. For smaller cracks, remove the grass before the job. It is a good idea to spray some herbicide into these cracks to stop any unwanted growth from continuing and killing the rest of the roots. After the grass is gone and the poison has been applied, you can move into the larger cracks.
Major gaps must be filled before the signing process.
Again, you need to remove the plant growth from the cracks. This plucked or string trimmer can sometimes be used effectively. For more difficult growth, you need to use some kind of tools and dig. Spray the cracks to kill any remaining plants that may be alive. Use a good lightweight sand to fill the cracks. Most home centers will carry this sand and sealer. When the sand has filled the maximum depth of the ledge, use a crack sealer to complete the filling and seal the crack. This product is thicker than what is used for general road markings.
Consult with your home center for the proper amount of asphalt for the size of your driveway.
Not all subscribers apply to the same. Some are first brought to thinness. Doing your homework on the specific product you are buying is very important. Ask a few questions when making a purchase about coverage and downsizing. Most of the ligatures can be water-thinned. Make sure you do the sealing of the driveway, best done with a shop broom or prone to spreading the sealant. Make sure you wear old clothes and have boots or shoes because this job can get really messy.
Most sealers come home with bitumen in five gallon containers.
Open the container. These are usually pre-packaged and ready for application. Pour a generous amount of sealer into the driveway starting at the lowest point. Will recommend something from the top. The problem with this approach is the risk that the sealer may be lost while it is running. Pushing the sealer uphill will give heavier coverage and a better sealer job.
Expand the sealer from here to the side
It is best not to enter a new sealer. The tracks will make the job look bad when you’re done. Going from side to side, sweep or push the product across the pavement below where you walk. Always delete any tracks you accidentally make as soon as they are created. Continue adding to the bitumen sealer until you have reached the top of the driveway. Try to make a nice line at the end of work just to have an expensive job. The same can be said about buildings and walkways. Make sure to apply a coat of sealant film over the cracked areas to cover and fill smaller cracks.
Make sure that rain is not forecast for approximately 24 hours after the application of the bitumen sealer.
Since the bitumen sealer can be diluted with water, also rinse with water until it dries. When it hardens, it is impervious to rain and will give great protection to the newly sealed bitumen. A good plan is to start work early in the morning on a day expected to exceed 80 degrees. If full sun can hit the new sealer, it will harden quickly. If you finish the job by noon, it should be ready for use the next morning.
