02/19/2025
Here are 10 of the top reasons why you should consider sealing a driveway.
1. It Extends the Life of Your Driveway
Seal coating adds a protective layer that protects your driveway from damage, whether that damage is caused by cold temperatures or typical wear and tear. While a sealant needs to be reapplied every few years, it can still be a worthwhile investment considering the high cost of pavement and asphalt replacement.
Depending on what the driveway is made of, the kind of traffic you can expect to see over the years, and the weather in your area, itās hard to say how long each driveway will last. However, sealant can extend the natural life of most driveways.
2. It Prevents Expensive Repairs
If itās not coated, the driveway is directly exposed to all kinds of things that can cause damage over time. Unsealed pavement can be weak and porous, leaving it vulnerable to damage like cracks and potholes over time. It can even develop deeper issues beneath the foundation, like fatigue cracking ā also known as āalligator cracking.ā This kind of damage requires extensive work to salvage the remaining pavement, if not a complete re-paving job.
These repairs can be expensive. If the damage is allowed to build up, an owner could be facing the prospect of driveway replacement a lot sooner than expected. Seal coating is a way to prevent these issues from surfacing.
3. It Protects Against Water Damage
Driveway sealant also acts as a waterproofing agent. If it is left uncoated, water can seep into the porous surface and deteriorate your driveway.
Sealant is even more essential if the driveway is in an area where the temperature drops below freezing. When water seeps into small cracks, it can expand and contract due to freezing temperatures. This can make cracks bigger and eventually lead to more serious forms of damage. Over time, water draining to the bottom of your driveway can affect the foundation. 4. It Protects Against UV Damage
UV rays can corrode your driveway over time. In the case of concrete, the sun can even dry out the surface. This weakens the structure of the concrete. Following enough sun exposure, concrete driveways can start to shrink and crack.
In the case of asphalt, sun rays can break down the particles that bind asphalt together. This can eventually make the asphalt weaker and more susceptible to cracking. The effects may not be visible right away, but the surface will gradually become less flexible and more prone to breaking.
5. It Protects Against Vehicle Traffic
When you regularly have cars driving up and down the driveway, that can start to wear away the surface of the driveway. This kind of damage can also go both ways ā cracked and broken asphalt can also add extra wear to a vehicleās tires. Sealing a driveway helps ensure that it can withstand as much traffic as necessary.
Even if youāre not moving cars regularly on and off a driveway, a sealing coat can prevent long-term damage caused by your vehicles. Otherwise, when oil, gas, and grease fall onto the surface of your driveway, this can soften and corrode the surface. We recommend Cobble Clean to remove tire marks. 6. It Keeps the Driveway Looking New
Any seal coating can improve the look of a driveway, making it look refreshed. The results will depend on the kind of seal coating you choose. In the case of asphalt, a dark and sleek color can make the driveway look freshly paved. In the case of concrete, both light and dark colors can refresh the surface of your driveway to make it look brand-new.
7. It Makes the Driveway Look Cleaner
With a smooth, uniform color and a non-porous surface, a sealed driveway has a cleaner look. Any imperfections in the surface ā cracks, patches, or rough areas ā are smoothed over, giving your homeās entrance a fresh and clean look. A coating can also make any traffic lines on your driveway more visible.
8. It Can Save You Money Over Time
Typically, driveway sealing can cost between 10 and 35 cents per square foot. When you compare that to the cost of installing a new driveway (which is commonly estimated to be between $2 and $15 per square foot), sealing is far cheaper.
Even though sealants arenāt permanent and need to be refreshed every few years, they can still cost less over the long term. By adding seal coating to your preventative maintenance, you could save yourself money while preserving the look and function of your driveway.
9. It Makes for Easier Maintenance
Due to the smooth finish of a sealed driveway, itās far easier to clean. You can sweep away dirt and debris with a broom or rinse it with a hose without the risk of water damage.
A sealed driveway can provide some of the same benefits as a heated driveway. When snow and ice accumulate on your driveway, a seal coating can help the buildup melt faster. This isnāt just convenient when it comes to winter maintenance like shoveling and salting. It can also prevent the wear and tear caused by the elements that can damage your coating, and, eventually, your driveway.
10. It Improves Home Value
It isnāt just a satisfying feeling to see a neat, appealing driveway in front of a building or house. It can also improve your curb value, which can raise a homeās value by up to 14%.
Having a beautiful driveway can affect the value of your property. Even if youāre not planning on selling any time soon, sealing your driveway can protect an investment for however long you need it. When itās finally time to sell, your driveway will be in top condition. Give us a call for a free quote today ļæ¼āØ(904) 206-0519ā©
