What Maintenance Tips Extend the Life of a Sealcoated Residential Driveway?

Maintaining your seal coated driveway definitely takes some effort, but it pays off by keeping the surface smooth and durable for years. If you’ve recently had residential sealcoating done on your driveway in Philadelphia, PA, follow these tips to protect your investment.

What Maintenance Tips Extend the Life of a Driveway After Residential Sealcoating?

1. Clean It

It all starts with keeping your driveway clean. The debris that sits on our driveways traps moisture against the surface and accelerates wear, so sweep the area weekly with a sturdy broom and use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse away grime once in a while. If you get stains from a car fluid or spill, mix a mild detergent with water and scrub it gently with a soft brush. Get those leaves off it quickly, and schedule a professional wash once or twice a year.

2. Deal With Cracks and Repairs Immediately

Even with a fresh coat, your driveway can still form cracks if it has a lot of heavy use or the ground shifts the wrong way. Check your driveway monthly for any signs of damage, like thin lines or small depressions, and fill in any minor cracks with a quality asphalt filler from a hardware store. For anything larger, you’ll want a professional patch job. Ignoring cracks allows water to seep into the driveway, and in the winter that’ll freeze and expand, which will just make the damage worse.

3. Keep It Drained

Water is one of the biggest threats to a coated surface, so make sure your driveway slopes away from your home and garage. Clear gutters and downspouts regularly so they don’t overflow onto the pavement, and if any pooling occurs on the driveway, consider adding a slight grade or installing a drain channel so you can move the water off quickly.

4. Protect It

Avoid parking heavy equipment or trailers on your driveway if you can, and if you must, don’t let anything sit there for a moment longer than necessary. Heavy equipment can create depressions in the driveway, especially in the summer since the heat causes the surface to soften just a bit. Don’t use your sealcoated driveway as a place to change the oil in your car, and if you’ve got several cars, rotate your parking spots so you get even wear.

5. Be Ready for Winter

Before the first freeze, make sure you give the surface a final clean. When the snow flies, always use plastic shovels for snow removal to avoid scraping the coating. Apply sand for traction instead of rock salt, because the salt will damage your coating. If you have to use a de-icing product for other safety reasons, choose one with a calcium chloride-based.

For expert assistance with sealcoating your drive or fixing any issues with it, reach out to us at PowerSurge Plus to get a quote. Located in Lansdale, PA, we serve Philly and the entire tri-state area. Call us today at 1-800-SEALCOAT to get started.

Tags: asphalt repair, sealcoating, tar sealer
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