DIY driveway sealer
- Thread starter dlundblad
- Start date
I did a lot of research on this 2 years ago and went with Latexite Ultrashield. My driveway is 25 years old when we bought the house and by the rough grade, I'd assume it was never sealed after it was originally put in. We put two coats on it 2 years ago. Today it's coming off on the steep part of the driveway. Latexite cut me a partial refund as they do not address the condition of the existing driveway except degreaser, filling cracks, dips and alligator sections for the prep. The top part of the driveway that is level is holding together nicely. Keep in mind I'm describing worst case scenario, we're delaying a full redo of our driveway for a few years. I think Latexite has a good product.
The one thing I don't like and seems to be common with all these big box sealers is that this stuff, even today, tracks a black film into the house. I tend to think a company with hot oil based sealer would be better, but more expensive.
First picture is after and second is before.
The one thing I don't like and seems to be common with all these big box sealers is that this stuff, even today, tracks a black film into the house. I tend to think a company with hot oil based sealer would be better, but more expensive.
First picture is after and second is before.
When comparing different brands buy the one with higher solids (if they list that on the label if not maybe buy the brand with the heavier bucket) to avoid a watered down product that won't last. I haven't done a seal on blacktop in 20 yrs but when I did I used whatever was on sale and always got 4-5 yrs out of it. I have all concrete now and it is more of a pain then my old asphalt was.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2022
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- 394
I second having a pro do it, and have them seal the cracks with hot tar.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
In my area, it's now 2-3x the price it used to be. Up until about 2021, I was able to get my 200'x16' asphalt driveway seal coated for around $200. It's $500-600 now. Its about $200 for me to do it myself.
Diesel and some waste oil should do the trick 
Diesel and some waste oil should do the trick
Jokes on you, I own a VW so I just park it in various spots so it covers the whole driveway!
You want asphalt emulsion sealer. Squeegee on. Unsure if you can get asphalt emulsion in the big box stores.
If you hire someone avoid Gilsonite (cheap crap they thin with gas or diesel) or coal tar (the dust from it wearing kills fish in lakes). The first coat should always be squeegee and second coat can be sprayed. Don't get both coats sprayed.
Cracks over 1/4" need to be filled with hot rubber crack filler which is hard for a homeowner. Forget the gallon of pour-in crack filler.
Keep in mind that driveway sealer is mainly for aesthetics. It does not really help the driveway last longer. Crack filling helps the driveway last longer. But not sealer.
If in the Hartford CT area my son-in-law owns a pavement maintenance business and does a good & honest job
If you hire someone avoid Gilsonite (cheap crap they thin with gas or diesel) or coal tar (the dust from it wearing kills fish in lakes). The first coat should always be squeegee and second coat can be sprayed. Don't get both coats sprayed.
Cracks over 1/4" need to be filled with hot rubber crack filler which is hard for a homeowner. Forget the gallon of pour-in crack filler.
Keep in mind that driveway sealer is mainly for aesthetics. It does not really help the driveway last longer. Crack filling helps the driveway last longer. But not sealer.
If in the Hartford CT area my son-in-law owns a pavement maintenance business and does a good & honest job
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