Residential Sealcoating vs Repaving

Unless you’re a residential sealcoating and paving expert, like the team from Blalock Paving, it’s not always easy to determine without a shadow of a doubt whether to sealcoat or repave your asphalt driveway. If parts of your asphalt driveway seem to need maintenance or you have potholes but aren’t sure if you need to have it entirely repaved, we cover everything you need to know here!

Signs You Need a New Asphalt Driveway, or if Sealcoating Will Do the Trick

If you’re wondering what some of the warning signs are that your asphalt driveway has seen better days, one of the primary signs is if your asphalt appears broken or severely cracked in several areas. Also referred to in the industry as “alligatoring,” this is when there is cracked asphalt all over your driveway that resembles alligator skin.

At this point, it’s time to start thinking about repaving your entire driveway. This is because residential sealcoating and crack filling are basically reserved for smaller, more cosmetic damage, to prevent bigger problems. If a homeowner did choose to coat a cracked driveway like the one mentioned above, it would likely fall apart during warmer weather anyways when you drove over it.

What Does Blalock Base its Repaving Recommendation On?

When the professional paving and residential sealcoating team from Blalock Paving visits your home, we take a close look at the asphalt on your property. We inspect it for cracks and whether your driveway’s drainage is being affected by the issues. If we suspect there’s been cracking underneath the asphalt that is seeping below your driveway, we may suggest repaving, as this is one of the things that create potholes and divots in your driveway due to erosion.

If there is simply an alligatoring effect in certain areas, then a simple sealcoating will do the trick and bring the appearance of your driveway back to its former glory. Although some of the cracked pavement will still be visible, coating it provides a thick, smooth seal over it to ensure no water can enter and the cracking won’t spread. If the overall look of the driveway is an issue with the homeowner, however, we’ll recommend a full repaving.

Can You Fix a DIY Sealcoating that Didn’t Quite Go As Planned?

There are a number of easy-to-use sealcoating products out there that homeowners can take advantage of to sealcoat their own asphalt driveways. But things don’t always go as planned, especially if you haven’t had experience sealcoating before. Unfortunately, many of the sealcoating products for DIY purposes are designed to sit on the shelf for a long time, meaning they contain different additives than professional sealcoating companies use.

One of the most common issues we see when a DIY sealcoating has gone wrong is that for one reason or another, the coating doesn’t fully cure, leaving a sticky film in areas of the driveway. In such cases, we usually recommend going over your driveway with another coat to create a smooth, sleek, and fully-cured finish.

Sealcoating My Entire Driveway vs. Only the End of it

In many areas and municipalities, there are strict ordinances for where you can install a concrete driveway. This is because some places don’t legally allow a concrete driveway to extend all the way to connect with the road itself. Thus, asphalt is substituted for concrete to reach the roadway and can create a unique appearance. Over the years, the more the asphalt dries and fades the more noticeable this difference in materials can be, and unfortunately, since it’s a legal issue there’s not much of a way around it.

Quick Tips for Protecting & Maintaining Your Asphalt Driveway

Before we go, we wanted to leave you with some tips for maintaining your asphalt driveway if yours has seen better days. Some of the best ways you can cure your asphalt driveways issues are by:

Avoiding Scams: Don’t ever choose to repave or sealcoat your driveway because someone is in the neighborhood offering a great price because they have extra materials. This is because at best, it will be a temporary solution with sub-standard materials and at worst, a total scam.
Consult with Professional Pavers: Consulting with a reliable paving and residential sealcoating company is often recommended if you suspect your driveway has seen better days. It can be easily inspected, and they can help you determine the next steps, whether it be a total repave, filling cracks, or sealcoating until the next season when you can replace your driveway.
Minimize Traffic in Problem Areas: If there are areas with cracks or other issues, try to avoid driving and parking on them until you can have them repaired. This can keep them from spreading and also ensure the ground beneath your driveway remains stable.

Contact us today for residential sealcoating, concrete installation, and more!

If you need sealcoating or paving services in Raleigh, NC, Blalock Paving would be happy to hear from you. Contact us online today or call (919) 782-5740 for a FREE estimate.