What to Consider Before Sealing Your Driveway
By Simply Driveways|September 03, 2020
A lot of people do not realise that there is actually quite a bit of care involved in making sure that one’s driveway lasts for as long as possible. Of course, concrete and asphalt driveways are going to last for a long time anyway, by nature of their composition, but there are a few things that you will want to do to keep it from being damaged from overuse or from inclement weather. One of the best things you can do to protect your driveway is to consider sealing it.
Sealing a driveway, to put it simply, is a great protective measure to take when you want to make the most out of the driveway. Sealing it helps to prevent some degree of damage from happening, and it also makes sure that your driveway retains a like-new appearance for the next several years. Because of this, you are going to want to consider a few things before you plan on sealing your driveway, as once it is sealed, it will take a lot more work to unseal it and fix any problems that you could have sealed in. With that being said, here are four things you should consider before sealing your driveway.
1. Consider the Type of Sealer
Many people might not know this, but there are actually a few different types of sealers that you can use for a driveway, particularly concrete driveways. Some sealers will prevent stains as best as possible, keeping your driveway in a like-new condition for several years at a time. Other sealers are more focused on the appearance of the driveway itself, offering a glossy finish and making the concrete look better. Of course, there will be a combination of these features in the variety of sealers you can search for. Before you seal your driveway, consider looking at all the different kinds of sealers possible so that you can find the one that will leave your driveway looking the best.
2. Prepare for Aftercare
As with many things that will have a lasting effect on your property, you should make sure you are ready to tend to the aftercare of a sealer before you have sealed the driveway. Doing this will ensure that your driveway will look as good as possible. More often than not, aftercare for sealer is about as simple as making sure that the driveway is clean and clear of any sort of debris. Depending on the type of sealer you choose to use, you may have to periodically apply more. Taking care of these things and having the supplies to tend to your driveway after sealing it will help you make the most out of its appearance.
3. Consider How You Want to Apply the Sealer
Just as there are many different kinds of sealers for driveways, there are also a few separate ways that you can apply it to your driveway. You will want to decide on a method before you plan on sealing it so you can get the supplies needed and set aside the time it will take to get the job done. In some cases, you can “paint” the sealer onto the driveway with a large brush, although this can take a very long time depending on the size of your driveway. Another method of application is to roll the sealer onto the driveway, while other people may prefer spraying it. Which method you choose will determine how much coverage you can get at once and ultimately how fast your driveway can be sealed.
4. Plan for the Time Needed for the Sealer to Dry
Sealer, more often than not, takes about 24 hours to completely dry and be ready to be used regularly. During this time, you should not drive on the driveway and you should not walk on it either. This means that when you are ready to seal the driveway, you should make arrangements for where cars should be parked, and you should remember not to step on the driveway while it is curing and drying. You can use some of this time to inspect the driveway for missed spots. Any missed spots will take another 24 hours to cure and dry once you reapply the sealer.
Need professional help on your driveway projects? Get in touch with the pros at Simply Driveways today. With over two decades of experience working with concrete driveways in Melbourne, the expert team will find the perfect option to elevate your curb appeal.
Sealing a driveway, to put it simply, is a great protective measure to take when you want to make the most out of the driveway. Sealing it helps to prevent some degree of damage from happening, and it also makes sure that your driveway retains a like-new appearance for the next several years. Because of this, you are going to want to consider a few things before you plan on sealing your driveway, as once it is sealed, it will take a lot more work to unseal it and fix any problems that you could have sealed in. With that being said, here are four things you should consider before sealing your driveway.
1. Consider the Type of Sealer
Many people might not know this, but there are actually a few different types of sealers that you can use for a driveway, particularly concrete driveways. Some sealers will prevent stains as best as possible, keeping your driveway in a like-new condition for several years at a time. Other sealers are more focused on the appearance of the driveway itself, offering a glossy finish and making the concrete look better. Of course, there will be a combination of these features in the variety of sealers you can search for. Before you seal your driveway, consider looking at all the different kinds of sealers possible so that you can find the one that will leave your driveway looking the best.
2. Prepare for Aftercare
As with many things that will have a lasting effect on your property, you should make sure you are ready to tend to the aftercare of a sealer before you have sealed the driveway. Doing this will ensure that your driveway will look as good as possible. More often than not, aftercare for sealer is about as simple as making sure that the driveway is clean and clear of any sort of debris. Depending on the type of sealer you choose to use, you may have to periodically apply more. Taking care of these things and having the supplies to tend to your driveway after sealing it will help you make the most out of its appearance.
3. Consider How You Want to Apply the Sealer
Just as there are many different kinds of sealers for driveways, there are also a few separate ways that you can apply it to your driveway. You will want to decide on a method before you plan on sealing it so you can get the supplies needed and set aside the time it will take to get the job done. In some cases, you can “paint” the sealer onto the driveway with a large brush, although this can take a very long time depending on the size of your driveway. Another method of application is to roll the sealer onto the driveway, while other people may prefer spraying it. Which method you choose will determine how much coverage you can get at once and ultimately how fast your driveway can be sealed.
4. Plan for the Time Needed for the Sealer to Dry
Sealer, more often than not, takes about 24 hours to completely dry and be ready to be used regularly. During this time, you should not drive on the driveway and you should not walk on it either. This means that when you are ready to seal the driveway, you should make arrangements for where cars should be parked, and you should remember not to step on the driveway while it is curing and drying. You can use some of this time to inspect the driveway for missed spots. Any missed spots will take another 24 hours to cure and dry once you reapply the sealer.
Need professional help on your driveway projects? Get in touch with the pros at Simply Driveways today. With over two decades of experience working with concrete driveways in Melbourne, the expert team will find the perfect option to elevate your curb appeal.
