How Much Does it Cost to Sealcoat a Driveway
If you have an asphalt driveway, one of the key measures to take to ensure its longevity is to sealcoat it regularly. This helps maintain your driveway’s structural integrity, but it also helps keep it attractive. Before getting to cost, let’s take a look at what sealcoating does.
How does sealcoating work?
Sealing your asphalt driveway creates a barrier. Think of it as a coat of paint for your driveway. Sealcoating prevents water, ice, the sun, salt, car fluids, and other chemicals from staining the surface of your driveway.
You will want to have your driveway sealcoated about every two to three years. You also will want to wait to sealcoat your driveway for the first time anywhere from 90 days to 6 months after. This allows the freshly laid asphalt adequate time to cure.
What type of sealant
Some people swear by purchasing buckets of sealant at their local hardware store and doing it themselves. Sure, it may be cheaper, but there are disadvantages to this choice. Most store purchased sealants are water-based and simply do not last as long as high-quality oil-based sealants contractors will use.
Also, consider labor. Sealcoating can be back-breaking work consisting of pouring sealant out of a bucket and spreading it with a broom. Sometimes it is better just to pay someone else to do the work, thus saving your time and back!
How much does much sealcoating by a local contractor cost?
To be honest, hiring a contractor will be a more expensive option. Keeping in mind that material costs, particularly oil, change, you are looking at somewhere between $200 to $500 per 1000 square feet of driveway. Other factors contribute to the cost as well. If your driveway is against other objects like retaining walls, they will need to be hand-bushed rather than rolled to prevent oversplash getting on them, which will take more time.
Final Word
A lot of the cost in sealing driveways is tied up in the prep work. If your driveway has a lot of dirt on it or is covered with oil spots, it will take more effort to prepare for the sealcoat. Your contractor will know what to do to ensure your driveway is properly prepped.
The advantage of hiring a professional is knowing the job will be done right. A local contractor will know the best materials to use and ensure the sealant does not accidentally pool. For many, the advantages of a professionally completed job far outweigh the savings from doing the job themselves.
Give us a call and see how our sealcoating services can get your driveway looking like brand new. For over 50 years, John Parichuk Paving, LLC, has made it our priority to deliver exceptional paving and seal coating services in the Hanover, Gettysburg, and York, PA region.