Sealing a driveway?

[stckyfngrs]

Does anyone know the steps and tools needed to seal a driveway? I have small cracks and some of the edges are chipped where grass started to grow up the sides. It was sealed about 5 years ago.

 

[BadGirl]

Tools: phonebook
Steps: call Copenhaver's, you pay them, they come out, done. Easy peasy.

We did this last week. They did an awesome job!

 

[ImAChvyGirl]

all you need is a large driveway squeegee, the sealer material and a place to park while it cures. It is a really big mess if you do it your self!!!

 

[Crewdawg141]

Does anyone know the steps and tools needed to seal a driveway? I have small cracks and some of the edges are chipped where grass started to grow up the sides. It was sealed about 5 years ago.

If you are debating the DIY Vs. the BIY (Do-it-yourself Vs. Buy-it-yourself)aspect, how much is your time worth to you? I have a large driveway and thanks to the previous owner leaving the reciepts to the house SealPro charged $550 to perform this task. They have the tools and materials needed to do the work whereas like you I would need to buy all of the supplies. So compute the time and energy to go to your favorite home improvment store and find all of the materials. Then bring it all home and read the directions to perform the task correctly. Then seal coat it all while trying not to make a nasty mess of yourself or your flooring afterwards or during if you need a break for a cold beverage or the restroom. Then take the time to clean up your supplies after finishing the task and pout them in a spot that might already be full of other toys, tools or other supplies for other projects. After taking this all into account you might see the shared opinion that - In the long run it would be cheaper and easier to BIY (aka Call a Professional)!

 

[desertrat]

If you are debating the DIY Vs. the BIY (Do-it-yourself Vs. Buy-it-yourself)aspect, how much is your time worth to you? I have a large driveway and thanks to the previous owner leaving the reciepts to the house SealPro charged $550 to perform this task. They have the tools and materials needed to do the work whereas like you I would need to buy all of the supplies. So compute the time and energy to go to your favorite home improvment store and find all of the materials. Then bring it all home and read the directions to perform the task correctly. Then seal coat it all while trying not to make a nasty mess of yourself or your flooring afterwards or during if you need a break for a cold beverage or the restroom. Then take the time to clean up your supplies after finishing the task and pout them in a spot that might already be full of other toys, tools or other supplies for other projects. After taking this all into account you might see the shared opinion that - In the long run it would be cheaper and easier to BIY (aka Call a Professional)!

It's a quick moving job and the only tool you need is the squegee which gets thrown away afterward. I did mine in two parts so I didn't have to park on the street. With a contractor that probably won't happen. Wear an old pair of shoes and toss them afterward.

That said the last two times I've paid Copenhaver.

 

[Crewdawg141]

It's a quick moving job and the only tool you need is the squegee which gets thrown away afterward. I did mine in two parts so I didn't have to park on the street. With a contractor that probably won't happen. Wear an old pair of shoes and toss them afterward.

That said the last two times I've paid Copenhaver.


That said the last two times I've paid Copenhaver.

I know that it can be done easily, but Murphy's law applies to my life on a regular basis. With that thought, the idea of me playing with tar sealer is better left to a pro. Besides I can work on something else while they spread the sealant on the pavement.

 

[DoWhat]

Does anyone know the steps and tools needed to seal a driveway? I have small cracks and some of the edges are chipped where grass started to grow up the sides. It was sealed about 5 years ago.

I also have been looking at getting my driveway sealed.
So far I have 2 estimates. (My driveway is 300 ft. long, total 4646 sqft.)

Copenhaver = $630

SealPros = $557

Make sure whoever you use, uses the coal tar sealer.
Understanding Sealcoating

We are holding out for now, until all the construction is done.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

If you are debating the DIY Vs. the BIY (Do-it-yourself Vs. Buy-it-yourself)aspect, how much is your time worth to you? I have a large driveway and thanks to the previous owner leaving the reciepts to the house SealPro charged $550 to perform this task. They have the tools and materials needed to do the work whereas like you I would need to buy all of the supplies. So compute the time and energy to go to your favorite home improvment store and find all of the materials. Then bring it all home and read the directions to perform the task correctly. Then seal coat it all while trying not to make a nasty mess of yourself or your flooring afterwards or during if you need a break for a cold beverage or the restroom. Then take the time to clean up your supplies after finishing the task and pout them in a spot that might already be full of other toys, tools or other supplies for other projects. After taking this all into account you might see the shared opinion that - In the long run it would be cheaper and easier to BIY (aka Call a Professional)!

You forgot about the sore back and muscle's the next morning. I did mine for maybe 22 years, now my time is more valuable, Im getting old and I'd rather have SealPro's do it for $195.00 and not worry about the mess and buying supplies.

 

[bulldog]

Marini did ours for about $400.00 and it's long driveway with a big parking area at the top. Not sure how others apply their product, but I have researched and found out that some spray and some coat. Coating is supposed to be better...which is what we had. I suppose that Copenhaver, Marini, Seal Pro are all about the same product so I guess it's about who will give you the better price.
We contacted all three of the above for our actual paving (the year before) and Marini had the best cost so we went with them. They did a very good job.

 

[OldHillcrestGuy]

Marini did ours for about $400.00 and it's long driveway with a big parking area at the top. Not sure how others apply their product, but I have researched and found out that some spray and some coat. Coating is supposed to be better...which is what we had. I suppose that Copenhaver, Marini, Seal Pro are all about the same product so I guess it's about who will give you the better price.
We contacted all three of the above for our actual paving (the year before) and Marini had the best cost so we went with them. They did a very good job.

Son and 3 other neighbors just had a big asphalt paving job finished by Marini a couple of weeks ago, not 100% happy about the finished product. Had estimates from 4 different people, Marinii was the cheapest, not by much, this was about a $7000 job, they choose Marini not because he was the cheapest but he did parts of 2 of the driveways about 5 years ago and did nice job then, but this time not as nice.:shrug:

 

[Crewdawg141]

You forgot about the sore back and muscle's the next morning. I did mine for maybe 22 years, now my time is more valuable, Im getting old and I'd rather have SealPro's do it for $195.00 and not worry about the mess and buying supplies.

Another very good point to pay for such work! No smell of Ben-Gay the next day!

 

[rcopenhaver]

No, Copenhaver, Marini, and Seal Pros definitely do NOT all use the same products. Copenhaver's Sealcoat is the best, and most of the time you can tell by the smell. Good sealcoat has a lot of chemicals in it and if you've ever been around real sealer you will know exactly what smell I am talking about. Seal Pros and Marini do not use the best of the best like Copenhaver does. It might look black, but that doesn't mean it is keeping your driveway sealed and protected. The unfortunate thing is that mostly all sealcoat jobs look good at first, but you won't know if you got a good job or not for at least a year or two after it's finished. If you use a good company that uses good sealer, your driveway will still be black in a few years. The stuff they sell at Lowe's just looks good; does not serve a purpose at all. Another important factor in doing a good job is if the preparation is done correctly. Asphalt must be cleaned of all dirt and debris, or asphalt will lift. Beware of Gypsies showing up randomly at your door step. A good, reputable company does not need to try and get business by going around knocking on doors like girl scouts selling cookies!

Copenhaver is rarely the cheapest; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

Another Quality Job By Copenhaver Asphalt Services, Inc. - Paving for over 29 Years

That is Copenhaver Asphalt's website; not sure if the sealcoat division has their own website or not.

 

[bulldog]

Good to know

Thanks for the info, but I'm curious...how do you know exactly what product each of the 3 uses and that what Copenhaver uses is best? If you called them and asked, I doubt that they would tell you so I'm just curious.

No, Copenhaver, Marini, and Seal Pros definitely do NOT all use the same products. Copenhaver's Sealcoat is the best, and most of the time you can tell by the smell. Good sealcoat has a lot of chemicals in it and if you've ever been around real sealer you will know exactly what smell I am talking about. Seal Pros and Marini do not use the best of the best like Copenhaver does. It might look black, but that doesn't mean it is keeping your driveway sealed and protected. The unfortunate thing is that mostly all sealcoat jobs look good at first, but you won't know if you got a good job or not for at least a year or two after it's finished. If you use a good company that uses good sealer, your driveway will still be black in a few years. The stuff they sell at Lowe's just looks good; does not serve a purpose at all. Another important factor in doing a good job is if the preparation is done correctly. Asphalt must be cleaned of all dirt and debris, or asphalt will lift. Beware of Gypsies showing up randomly at your door step. A good, reputable company does not need to try and get business by going around knocking on doors like girl scouts selling cookies!

Copenhaver is rarely the cheapest; YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

Another Quality Job By Copenhaver Asphalt Services, Inc. - Paving for over 29 Years

That is Copenhaver Asphalt's website; not sure if the sealcoat division has their own website or not.

 

[Cletus_Vandam]

Thanks for the info, but I'm curious...how do you know exactly what product each of the 3 uses and that what Copenhaver uses is best? If you called them and asked, I doubt that they would tell you so I'm just curious.

Not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but did you catch the Posters name? That should give you a hint that they have an idea what Copenhaver uses.

And, I would suspect that anyone in the business would know the products and what the competition uses.

Now as to who's is the best, I can't help you there. I did mine once with the store bought stuff, but it was only a single lane and only two cars long. Not a big deal, but very very messy. I promised myself I would never do it again.

 

[ShyOne]

Copenhaver recently repaved our driveway (original pavement job 25 years age by Copenhaver). No, they are not the cheapest, but they do a great job. The edges are neat and pavement is uniform. They did not leave the yard in a mess. Copenhaver has also sealed our driveway over the years. My husband is in the construction business and the paving jobs that he has seen are not up to par compared to Copenhaver. We would not hesitate to recommend Copenhaver for paving or sealcoating.

 

[bulldog]

Nope, I did not notice the posters name before I made my comment. Short sighted on my part.
However, the fact that the poster says "Copenhaver Asphalt's website; not sure if the sealcoat division has their own website or not" indicates that although they share the family name, they may not be involved with the family business. If they were, I'd think that they would know these details.
No big deal. I'm sure that Copenhaver's is good. I know Marini is good since I used them. Who is the best? We could debate that for a very long time and still prove nothing.
Cheers,

Not trying to be a smarta$$ here, but did you catch the Posters name? That should give you a hint that they have an idea what Copenhaver uses.

And, I would suspect that anyone in the business would know the products and what the competition uses.

Now as to who's is the best, I can't help you there. I did mine once with the store bought stuff, but it was only a single lane and only two cars long. Not a big deal, but very very messy. I promised myself I would never do it again.