Keeping your asphalt driveway in good shape means addressing problems the moment they appear. Waiting until the last minute before taking action can be hazardous to you and your family.

Small children or elderly members of the family can trip on uneven sections of the driveway if not repaired in a timely manner, and get seriously injured. Constant vehicular traffic on collapsed or sunken portions of your asphalt driveway can tear them open, turning these depressions into potholes.

For property managers and homeowners, maintaining an asphalt driveway or parking lot and keeping it in good shape is a wise and rewarding investment. Just like our skin, asphalt also ages and matures as time goes by. To maintain its fresh appearance and prolong its life span, asphalt needs care and attention. Below are some tips and best practices in caring for your asphalt pavement.

Asphalt driveways are beautiful and will last long when properly maintained. However, asphalt surfaces are prone to damage caused by exposure to snow, rain, UV rays, oxidation (the greying and loss of its deep black color), and constant pressure from vehicles driving over it. This begs the question of whether or not it is a good idea to sealcoat your asphalt driveway, and when would be the best time to do so.

Here are some common indicators that you need to seal your driveway:

1. Visible cracks and potholes. Whether it is just a few small cracks here and there, or a developing network of cracks, this is the number one sign that your driveway needs sealing. Small cracks can grow into potholes, which can lead to bigger problems and accidents if not repaired sooner.
2. Water pooling. Water is a major culprit that speeds up the deterioration of your asphalt driveway. It seeps beneath the surface and weakens the foundation of the pavement, creating depressions. When you begin to see small puddles of water that don’t seem to drain properly, this means that the surface of your driveway has become uneven due to those depressions.
3. Faded surface color. A newly laid asphalt driveway looks sleek and has a deep black color. Through time, this coloration fades or turns to gray. This is also an indication that your driveway needs a fresh coat of sealer.

Just like our skin, asphalt tends to age due to constant exposure to natural elements, and has a tendency to crack and flake when it gets to too dried out. It becomes brittle and weak, and will eventually break if not seal coated on time. Grass, roots, and water runoff (from sprinklers and hoses) are also culprits in speeding up the decay of your driveways. Sealcoating your asphalt driveway will not only help extend its lifespan, it will also prevent further damage.

Prepping your driveway

Before actually applying sealcoat, you will need to clean the asphalt surface thoroughly. Here are some steps to guide you on how to prep your asphalt driveway before sealcoating.

1. Sand, chipped stone, fallen leaves and twigs can prevent the sealer from adhering properly. Sweep the entire area with a sturdy bristled brush or broom to clear out debris.
2. Use a blower to clear any remaining vegetation and bits of sand and stone.
3. Power wash the surface of your driveway, if needed. (Note: Wait until your driveway is completely dry before proceeding to the next step. Moisture will prevent crack fillers and sealant from adhering properly.)
4. Fill all visible cracks and repair potholes ahead of schedule so that the patches have time to cure. Any form of moisture (such as water used during power-washing) should be completely dry before applying the sealer. Check out our Driveway Repair Guide for more in-depth directions in repairing cracks and potholes.

When is the best time to sealcoat?

Freshly laid asphalt should not be sealed right away. Ideally, an asphalt surface needs to be cured (allowed to dry and set) for at least 6 months before sealing. The ideal interval per sealing would be 2-3 years.

Sealcoating should be scheduled during fair weather months – without any forecasted rain for at least 48 hours. Temperature should be at least 15°C or higher, but not more than 32°C. If the asphalt is too hot, the sealant will most likely melt and not cling properly to the surface of your driveway. This can result in an uneven finish.

How soon can I use my driveway after sealing?

Most sealers on the market need approximately 24-48 hours to cure before you can use your driveway again. However, Action Seal’s sealers only need 3-4 hours to dry if applied during ideal weather conditions. This means, you get to use your driveway sooner!

Benefits of Sealcoating

On a long-term basis, sealcoating is beneficial not only to your property but to your pocket as well.

1. It acts like moisturizer for your driveway. It preserves and protects the surface, and keeps your asphalt healthy.
2. It costs less than having to pay for major repairs or an overhaul.
3. It helps melt snow and ice faster on your driveway because the dark color attracts the sun.
4. It slows down oxidation, while preventing oil and chemical spills from seeping into the pavement.
5. It protects your blacktop from rain, frost, snow and salt damage.
6. It makes your driveway appear fresh, sleek and brand-new.
7. It extends the lifespan of your asphalt driveway.
8. It is a valuable investment.

To answer the question of whether or not to seal your asphalt driveway: the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages, if there are any at all.

So, if a friend or colleague asks you the same question… tell them, yes, sealcoating your driveway is the best decision you can make to improve the appearance and prolong the life span of your driveway.

One of the biggest challenges you’ll face when you start your own asphalt business is creating a steady client base of repeat customers. Winning a couple of contracts might mean a good start for a new company, but how do you stay in the game and build a strong presence in the industry?

Wouldn’t you want your company to be the first – no, the only! – choice when property owners want their parking lots reopened for business? How about getting paid top dollar for your services, while getting repeat clients and new ones faster than your fiercest competitor? What makes a business more successful than others?

The secret is to build a powerful brand that makes customers immediately think of your company when they need sealcoating and other pavement services.  This discussion between Judson Burdon, founder of Asphalt Kingdom, and Alex Lucic, owner of Black and Yellow Pavement (Canada), will give you a roadmap to creating a branding strategy that actually works.

Finishing projects on time and on budget is only half the battle when it comes to creating a successful business.

The other half? Hiring the right people for your team. In today's tight job market, it feels harder than ever to attract and retain top talent.

Hiring the perfect crew while trying to grow your business can be a struggle. Going through stacks of resumes or online applications can cost you a great deal of time and energy. Out of the 30 people you shortlisted, 20 to 25 of them seem promising – on paper! Resumes and portfolios can be made to look appealing enough for you to hire any average Joe, and end up getting an employee who’s sloppy, lazy, and uninterested.

Years of experience and expertise may be key factors to consider, but that doesn’t mean that you should disregard probable candidates that may not have prior experience in the field, but have great potential.

The key to finding the right type of people for your business is to “feel” them out before deciding to hire. Below are some tips and strategies on how to put together a strong crew.