Resources

At BorderLines, we take pride in educating our customers so they can make informed decisions about how to maintain paved areas effectively and minimize future maintenance costs. We’re dedicated to providing trustworthy, experienced recommendations and building long lasting relationships with our clients, all while providing superior services at competitive prices. An informed customer gets better results from every project.

Within this section you’ll find useful resources, including frequently asked questions, asphalt maintenance tips, and a pavement industry glossary of terms. Browse whatever is most useful to you. If you still have questions, call us at 763.323.1900.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes pavement deterioration?

The sun oxidizes asphalt, evaporating the binder that holds the pavement together, petroleum or oil spills soften the asphalt and cause the asphalt to fail in those spots, and water that enters the cracks in your driveway works its way to the sub-surface and softens the base. The pavement then begins to separate and break-up.

How often should I seal my driveway?

We recommend you sealcoat your asphalt every two to three years. There are several factors that will decrease the lifetime of the sealant. Some of these include heavy traffic, an excess amount of dirt and debris, chemicals, scraping from shovels and snow plows, water that puddles, harsh temperatures, and more. For brand new pavement, we recommend you have the asphalt sealed between nine and twelve months after the installation.

Why should I hire a professional to seal my driveway when I can just do it myself?

That’s true, you can do it yourself for slightly less than a professional can, but the truth is it’s a very messy job and the sealant you purchase off-the-shelf at your local retail store will not have the same adhesion properties or rich dark color as a BorderLines professionally applied seal coat. Our special formula includes polymers that increase strength and elasticity, thus reducing tearing and cracking during the expansion and contraction of the asphalt during freeze and thaw cycles. We also add sand to increase traction when the asphalt is wet.

How long does it take to sealcoat my driveway?

On an average driveway, depending on how dirty or how many repairs are needed, applying the sealcoat can take one to three hours. Dry time is 24 – 48 hours, depending on the weather.

Aren’t all sealants the same?

Pavement sealer is an emulsion, or blend of clay, water, and either refined tar or petroleum products. As the sealer cures, the water evaporates and what is left on the asphalt are the “solids” of the sealer. BorderLines uses a premium formula of asphalt sealer and special additives. Each additive has been selected to produce a sealant with the deepest and longest lasting color, firmest body, and greatest durability during changes in pavement temperatures. Our sealer is non-tracking and slip resistant. It is formulated to be compatible with both new asphalt and structurally sound old asphalt.

Does it matter what the temperature is when I have my driveway sealed?

Sealcoat should be applied when temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit during and at least 48 hours after application.

How long do I have to wait before I can walk or drive on my newly sealed driveway?

In full sun, you can walk on your driveway after 4 – 6 hours, but we recommend you wait at least 12 hours. You should not drive on it for 24 – 48 hours, depending on ground temperatures. We recommend you wait a full 48 hours before driving or parking on your newly sealed driveway. If you must drive on it, do not park or turn your wheels while stationary and always avoid using harsh chemicals, like tire shine.

*Dry times can vary significantly in extreme weather conditions. Humidity, colder conditions, and cloudy days can increase dry time. Hot, sunny days can reduce dry times.

How come my newly sealed driveway has scuffmarks or tire marks?

Scuffing and/or tire marks on the newly sealcoated surface may occur especially in the hot sun. Expect power steering marks as the sand is sheared away from the asphalt emulsion but over time these marks will go away. Scuffing and/or tire marks is normal and temporary, usually occurring within the first month after the sealcoating has been applied and while turning tires sharply.

On 80 plus degree days the sun can reheat the asphalt, softening the new pavement and sealer, increasing the risk of tire marks. If this happens these marks will fade away after a period of time.

Why do I have brush marks on my driveway?

Driveway sealers are basically applied like paint and can be applied by either hand, spraying or squeegee. We apply the pavement sealer by hand using a nylon brush (called pro-strand) applicator. Brushing the sealer into the asphalt allows the sealer to fill all voids and gaps, similar to using a brush to apply paint to a porous piece of wood. Light brush marks are normal.

Will the pavement sealer cover oil stains?

Pavement sealer will not adhere to oil stains unless the stain is first torched and treated with an oil spot primer. BorderLines torches and primes oil stains on the pavement surface before applying sealer. In the case of heavy stains we will do our best, but can’t guarantee complete coverage.

There are several ways to apply sealer. Is one method better than another?

Driveway sealers are basically applied like paint and can be applied by either brush coating, spraying or squeegee. We hand apply the pavement sealer to driveways using a commercial grade Prostran© nylon brush applicator. Brushing the sealer back and forth into the pores of the asphalt fills all the voids and gaps, ensuring optimal adhesion and a uniform appearance throughout. The precise control of brush coating allows our technicians to be meticulous in their application, making sure the product is not applied on neighboring sidewalks, walkways, or vegetation.

How often should I seal my cracks and joints?

It is recommended you have your cracks sealed annually. It is the most cost-effective approach to extending the life your pavement.

Why do I have cracks in my driveway?

Movement of the sub-surface, expansion and contraction from freeze and thaw cycles, and poor drainage can cause cracks in the asphalt. Crack filler should be part of your yearly maintenance plan. The better job you do at sealing out the moisture, the less movement you will get during freeze and thaw cycles.

Why is my crack filler peeling and pulling up on my tires?

Vehicle tires become hot during prolonged driving at highway speeds. If parking directly on the crack sealer, the hot tires can re-heat the crack filler, which then re-cools, adhering to the tire. When the vehicle is later moved, a small portion of the hot pour crack filler is pulled up with the tire. There is not much that can be done to prevent this except try not to park directly on the hot pour crack filler while the tires are still hot. **Always avoid turning tires on driveway while stationary.

Why is my crack filler not completely hardened?

Our premium grade crack fill is 100% rubber that is heated to 400 degrees. After it has been applied and allowed to cool, hot pour crack filler is supposed to remain flexible, allowing it to expand and contract with the freeze and thaw cycles and movement of the pavement. If you press it with your finger, it will flex. If you park on it with your car tires, it will temporarily retain the tread pattern. This is normal for this type of material.

Why is the crack filler visible through the sealcoat?

Yes, you will be able to see the crack fill through the sealcoat! Because the texture of the crack fill is smoother than the texture of the asphalt. This is unavoidable if you want your driveway protected. We apply a silica sand to the rubber and extra sealcoat to help mask that look.

Why should I have my grass removed along the sides of my driveway?

BorderLines cuts overgrown grass along the edge of the blacktop and along the concrete curb across the front of the lot using a steel blade edger. This allows us to seal the entire crown of the asphalt and gives the entire property a fresh manicured look.

Maintenance Tips

Simple rules from our crews to keep your pavement looking great and lasting longer.

  • Stay off newly applied sealcoat for at least 24 hours.
  • Do not to drive on the newly applied sealcoat for at least 48 hours, and avoid turning tires while stationary.
  • Do not park your vehicle on cracks that have been sealed for at least seven days.
  • Sprinkler systems should be turned off at least 12 hours before we arrive and should remain off for a minimum of 12 hours after we sealcoat.
  • Refrain from using products like “Tire Shine” on the driveway.
  • Our services temporarily gets rid of the grass and weeds growing up through the driveway cracks. To permanently remove vegetation you will want to use a product that will kill the roots that are under the pavement. Your local nursery or hardware store can make suggestions on what product to use.
  • Filling the cracks and joints will temporarily get rid of the any ant holes in the asphalt crevices. However, the ants can eat through the rubber and re-make their holes. For a more permanent solution, it is best to contact an exterminating service to help rid the driveway of ants prior to our arrival.
  • We recommend that you fill the cracks and joints every year to keep moisture out from underneath your driveway. Cracks in your pavement allow water to penetrate the base beneath the surface which can result in more widespread cracking, sunken or broken-up asphalt, and eventually complete pavement failure.
  • Dawn dish soap can aid in removing fresh oil spots from your driveway.
  • Keeping the pavement free from dirt and debris will help extend the life of the sealcoat.
  • If you have a new driveway installed, we ask that you stay off of it for a minimum of one week.
  • Asphalt takes about 90 days to fully cure. During the curing process you should avoid small pressure points, such as kick stands, lawn chairs, etc.
  • By having your cracks and joints filled and your asphalt sealed you can significantly lengthen the life of your driveway. To extend the life even longer, talk to a BorderLines representative about a long-term maintenance plan. Our experienced team can develop a cost-effective and convenient home maintenance plan that will continue to add life to your asphalt while minimizing the chances of inconvenient and costly repairs.

Industry Terms

The following term definitions were provided by the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association and Asphalt Institute.

Asphalt cement
A mixture of crude petroleum used for paving, roofing, industrial and other special purposes.
A mixture of asphalt binder and aggregate thoroughly mixed and compacted into a mass
Asphalt pavement
Asphalt over supporting courses such as asphalt bases, crushed stone, slag, gravel, brick or block pavement.
Durability
The property of an asphalt pavement that represents its ability to resist disintegration by weathering and traffic.
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
High quality, thoroughly controlled hot mixture of asphalt binder (cement) and well-graded, high-quality aggregate, which can be compacted into a uniform dense mass.
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlay
One or more courses of HMA over an existing pavement.
Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)
Excavated asphalt pavement that has been pulverized, usually by milling, and is used like an aggregate in the recycling of asphalt pavements.
Sealcoat
A thin surface treatment used to improve the surface texture and protect an asphalt surface. The main types of seal coats are fog seals, sand seals, slurry seals, micro-surfacing, cape seals, sandwich seals and chip seals.
Subbase
A layer of aggregate of planned thickness and quality placed on the existing soil as a foundation for the base. Subgrade: The portion of a roadbed surface that has been prepared as specified, upon which a subbase, base, base course, or pavement is to be constructed.
Subgrade
The soil prepared to support a pavement structure or a pavement system. It is the foundation of the pavement structure.
Tack coat
The initial application of asphalt material to an existing asphalt surface to provide bond between the existing surface and the new material.
Viscosity
A measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow with respect to time.