The sleek, deep black color of asphalt driveway can surely add beauty to any property. However, exposure to ultraviolet rays, corrosive chemicals, excessive heat, changing climate, and spills of grease, oil, and gas can take toll on your asphalt driveway. Without proper care and preventative maintenance, your well-loved driveway can start looking rugged or cracked. The good news is that you can avoid these problems and extend the lifespan of your asphalt to 20 years by sealcoating it.
Sealcoating your driveway provides optimum protection. It also serves as an effective preventative maintenance. With this process, tiny crevices, cracks, or fissures are sealed up. As a result, water is unable to seep into the driveway and the layers beneath it. Take note that water is the ultimate bane of asphalt as it can creep into the very foundation of the pavement.
You’re probably aware of the importance of asphalt sealcoating, but perhaps you’re also wondering whether it’s something that you can DIY or entrust to professionals. At average cost of around $2 to $5 per square foot, both of these options require a considerable investment – hence you must choose the right option. To come up with an informed decision, it is vital to examine each option. Here we take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of DIY asphalt sealcoating and hiring professionals.
DIY Asphalt Sealcoating
Basically, sealcoating on your own means that you won’t have to spend a substantial amount of money on hiring professionals. You are not at the mercy of the contractor. You can proceed with the project anytime.
If you are considering do-it-yourself methods, you have to be ready to invest in sealing materials, equipment, and tools, as well as time and effort, to complete the project successfully. Typically, you need to invest in special, ready-to-use sealcoating products that are easily available in hardware stores. These products contain preservatives that enable them to endure and withstand prolonged stay in store shelves. As such, they tend to cost more than the professional-grade asphalt products.
If you have not done sealcoating projects in the past, you need to learn at least the basic skills. You also have to know how to identify and repair common asphalt problems, such as cracks, damaged foundation, etc. Good thing, there are online tutorials that can guide you with these tasks.
At the outset, do-it-yourself methods seem cost-effective since you can cut on the contractor’s fees. But in the long run, you might be spending more, especially if it’s just a one-time project. Likewise, if you don’t own any of the necessary tools, you will have to buy them only for this project. Then, they might just sit in the corner unused for a long time.
According to Florida and asphalt paving experts from ABC Paving, sealcoating is a meticulous process that can take a considerable amount of time. If you have a busy schedule, you might end up rushing or not completing the job properly. So, if you have a tight schedule, you might want to reconsider DIY sealcoating.
Hiring a Contractor
A professional seal coating company guarantees quality work. With the experience and knowledge in the field, you are assured that they can complete the project properly and timely. It gives you the peace of mind knowing that the contractor uses the best materials, follows the standards, and ensures superior quality. Since you can ask for a free estimate, you can get an exact amount and save up. It eliminates the element of guesswork and avoids unnecessary costs and wastages.
A major downside in hiring professional asphalt sealcoating is that you will have to spend more on their services. Although it will cost you more than simply DIY sealcoating, always consider the long-term benefits of professionally-installed sealcoating. Furthermore, you are sure that high quality materials are used and that the driveway won’t need repairs soon. This avoid extra expenses on additional repairs, something that is unavoidable with the DIY method.
All said, consulting a professional is the best way to go when it comes to major investments like asphalt sealcoating. Unless you are skilled with such project, it is best to entrust this work to sealcoating companies. Most companies now offer free estimates, which allows you to decide and prepare for the project.
Whether you are sealcoating the driveway by yourself or hiring a contractor, this preventative maintenance procedure is vital to ensure that your asphalt driveway is fully protected.