muck Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Apparently my driveway needs to be sealed. We bought our place last summer and didn't treat it. We find out this spring that the folks that we bought it from probably didn't do an sealing during the three-ish years they lived here. I've never sealed anything like this ... it's long (maybe 200 linear feet of driveway; 2000 sft?) and I'm thinking of hiring it out vs. doing it myself. Anyone have any tips / suggestions? ...I'm completely at a loss... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isleseeya Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Possible help Sealer seriously , this has some info from Lowe's Sealing info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 (edited) I know nothing at all about sealing driveways ... but have always firmly believed that whatever the task at hand may be:: 1] if I don't know how to do it myself and ... 2] ... can't afford to hire someone that does know how to do it for me ... ... then the task at hand is not as important as originally thought, and really does not need to be done at all. Not sure if that really helps you at the moment, but it's a philosophy to be pondered while you have a few beers & stare at the driveway. Edited September 6, 2008 by ts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 I know nothing at all about sealing driveways ... but have always firmly believed that whatever the task at hand may be:: 1] if I don't know how to do it myself and ... 2] ... can't afford to hire someone that does know how to do it for me ... ... then the task at hand is not as important as originally thought, and really does not need to be done at all. Not sure if that really helps you at the moment, but it's a philosophy to be pondered while you have a few beers & stare at the driveway. I hope that you: 1) Either are a very knowledgable person about doing repairs, or........ 2) Have a lot of money. Otherwise, I would hate to see your house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 (edited) That Lowes link is pretty solid info IMO. It's a tough job. I did my driveway that is about 75x20 tapering to x15 in a about 1.5 days by myself. The key, as with most things, is preparation and materials. If you have cracks, you should get some crack filler (you use a caulk gun to dispense black tar into the cracks). If you have holes, they make a patch for that, but IIRC you have to wait a couple months before sealing it. You need to edge around the blacktop to be sure and expose a bit of the sides of the existing stuff. No grass, leaves, dirt, etc. on the surface. Spray it all down with a hose the day before. When you go to Lowes/Home Depot for the sealer, you'll probably be presented with something like a 3, 5, or 7 year grade sealer. I chose the 5, but wish I had done the 7. The difference was the 5 you had to stir (and keep stirring), which is a biotch, and the 7 you didn't. The catch was you would need more of the 7 and it was more expensive. But it would have saved quite a bit of time and my back. Remember, you can't drive on it for 24 hours. 2 other tips. . Buy at least one more container than you think you need, and probably two. You can always return it at your lesiure, but going back to the store for more in the middle of the project is a bummer. . Buy at least one extra broom spreader and an extra handle. They are cheap and will break on you. On the off chance they don't break, you can return them too. ETA: Oh, don't believe the claimed square footage on the sealer container unless you have a really smooth surface. I had a driveway in pretty good shape, and got maybe 60% of the claimed coverage. IIRC, I spent about $250 on all materials combined. Edited September 7, 2008 by The Irish Doggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Rascist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I'm busy that day. I've seen your driveway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I'm busy that day. I've seen your driveway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 I'm busy that day. I've seen your driveway. I know! I may be busy that day, too! :bshock: This is why I'll be getting some bids this week...it'll be a big project that will be need to be done in one weekend and my body won't like it AT ALL... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuke'em ttg Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I know! I may be busy that day, too! :bshock: This is why I'll be getting some bids this week...it'll be a big project that will be need to be done in one weekend and my body won't like it AT ALL... if you have money muck ...let someone else do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark5 Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Farm it out. Your back will thank you for it for years to come. But don't hire the asphalt guy with chrome rims on his dump truck (Polk, if you read this do you know who I'm talking about? LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sox Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I know! I may be busy that day, too! :bshock: This is why I'll be getting some bids this week...it'll be a big project that will be need to be done in one weekend and my body won't like it AT ALL... Wise choice. I'm a do it your selfer,and the cost-effort to do MY driveway just isn't worth it.I wouldn't save all that much to put two coats down as it would cost to have it done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trrhyne Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I did mine a couple of years ago. It is stright forward to do with the stuff from Lowes, but it is very hard the first time. If you can afford to hire someone, let them do it. After the first time, your driveway will have a smooth texture to it and if you want to re-seal it every 3-5 years, then it is much easier the second time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footballjoe Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I am a do it yourselfer too. I needed to put sand under my house and refused to pay the $2000 bids I got. When I finishd 3 days after starting I literally could not move my left arm. I was in so much pain I could not sleep. After getting a shot in the arm and meds I got relief. It took 6 months to get right. I still have a little twinge now and then, enough to remind me of my foolishness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Holy Roller Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 I am a do it yourselfer too. I needed to put sand under my house and refused to pay the $2000 bids I got. When I finishd 3 days after starting I literally could not move my left arm. I was in so much pain I could not sleep. After getting a shot in the arm and meds I got relief. It took 6 months to get right. I still have a little twinge now and then, enough to remind me of my foolishness. If you use your other hand sometimes it spreads out the stress. Plus it feels like a stranger is doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted September 8, 2008 Author Share Posted September 8, 2008 As CD can attest, I'm a bit of a do-it-yourselfer (trim all amy own trees, installed hardwood floors, built a flagstone patio, etc.), but for some reason, this is something I am just NOT interested in doing. We'll see where the bids come in at...thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteteacher2001 Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 I sealed and asphalted for a living while un undergrad. I will tell you right now, HIRE someone!!!!!! The lack of having to clean up the mess alone will be worth your while. Now there are spray trucks and professionals have their own gear. Once you get sealant on something, clothes, tools, etc. IT'S RUINED!!!!! You also have the possibility of getting your skin very irritated on your face if you don't stay out of the chemical arc that sealant creates when it hits the asphalt. In short, hire someone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted September 8, 2008 Share Posted September 8, 2008 If you use your other hand sometimes it spreads out the stress. Plus it feels like a stranger is doing it. The stranger is when you do it while your hand is asleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted September 10, 2008 Author Share Posted September 10, 2008 First bid came in: Seal the drive way = $X Demo the top layer of asphalt and relay a fresh 4" thick layer of new asphalt = $X * 1.5 ...doing it myself w/ supplies, etc...and putting no value on my time or health = $X * 20%... ...I'm seriously thinking about doing the fresh asphalt... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gsmayes Posted September 10, 2008 Share Posted September 10, 2008 Demo the top layer of asphalt and relay a fresh 4" thick layer of new asphalt = $X * 1.5 Make sure they do it in two separate lifts. 2.5" Leveling/1.5" Top or 2" Leveling/2" Top depending on the mixes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 I asked the guy that paved my driveway about sealing it and he said that it's a complete waste of time & money. Do they seal public roads? Nope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Do they seal public roads? Nope. Not in the way drivways are, though crackes are often filled in and concrete bridge decks are somtimes epoxy-sealed at a later date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 (edited) Not in the way drivways are, though crackes are often filled in and concrete bridge decks are somtimes epoxy-sealed at a later date. I hope mine doesn't fall to pieces then. The guy did a good job on it. I didn't go through the builder like a couple of others did...thankfully. The guy that the builder got to do them didn't even smooth out the driveway first. He just laid asphalt over the humps and bumps. My guy took his time and even the asphalt looks blacker. I'm not going to seal mine. Edited September 11, 2008 by TimC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driveby Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Down south we have this material called concrete. Works well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted September 11, 2008 Share Posted September 11, 2008 Down south we have this material called concrete. Works well. Depends on the state too. Georgia uses mostly asphalt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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