Did you know if you seal the cracks in your pavement every year you could double the life of your driveway?

A key component to proper driveway maintenance is keeping water from getting into the base layer under the asphalt. If left untreated, water can enter through the cracks and cause erosion that jeopardizes the structural integrity of the driveway, resulting in large repair costs. 

Preparation: Thorough preparation of a driveway prior to crack sealing ensures the rubber and sealcoat are applied with optimal adhesion for lasting results. We scrub the entire driveway (not just the affected area) using a wire brush to exfoliate the surface and use a high powered blower to make sure cracks are free of any dirt, vegetation, asphalt fragments, and moisture.

Application: The rubber is heated to 400°F and applied inside the cleaned and dry cracks. Excess rubber is removed with a squeegee to avoid any kind of surface edge. It is important that the rubber sits flush or just below the crack to avoid being pulled-out or chipped by a shovel or snowplow.

Post-Application: Rubberized crack sealers should be allowed to cool and set up prior to walking or driving over it. Outside temperatures can affect the cure time. The rubber remains pliable inside the crack. This allows the rubber to remain intact when the pavement expands and contracts during the freeze and thaw cycles. We recommend you do not park on the sealed cracks for at least 48 hours, and even longer when the weather is warm.

Crack sealing on a driveway that has not been sealcoated in years can have an unsightly appearance. Many homeowners choose to have their driveway’s sealed immediately following the crack sealing to give it that even, deep black, beautiful look.

For optimal driveway maintenance, BorderLines does recommend you have any new cracks filled annually and your driveway sealcoated every two to three years.

If your driveway has cracks or is showing signs of aging, call us today to schedule an on-site evaluation and free estimate.