One of the most effective ways of taking care of your asphalt driveway is by sealing it and keeping it safe against the elements, cracking, and discoloration. Be it a new driveway or an old one, a sealant may be used to extend its life and keep it looking new. Nevertheless, prior to starting this maintenance project, you should know what it is going to be cost you. In this blog, we will deconstruct the cost of sealing an asphalt driveway, what determines the cost, and how you can cut down the cost of this important service.
Why Should You Seal Your Asphalt Driveway?
Before we get into the costs, we should be able to know why you should seal your asphalt driveway. Asphalt is a strong material, yet it is prone to UV rays, water, oil spills, and other pollutants.
Sealing of your driveway offers a protective seal that can assist:
Avoid Cracks: Cracks may allow water to enter, freeze and thaw in winter months, making them worse with time.
Stain Protection: Your driveway can be stained by oil, gasoline and other materials, but a quality sealant will prevent them soaking in.
Improve Curb Appeal: A new seal driveway appears smooth and clean, which enhances the outlook of your home.
Increase Longevity: Sealing your driveway on a regular basis will prolong the life of your asphalt driveway, which will save you money in the long term since you will not have to repair or replace it.
What Influences the Price of Sealing Asphalt Driveway
The cost of sealing an asphalt driveway may be affected by a number of factors. Although sealing is relatively cheap, the overall cost will vary depending on the area of your driveway, the state of the surface, and the contractor.
Let’s explore these factors in detail:
Size of the Driveway
The bigger your driveway is, the more it will be expensive to seal. The majority of the contractors are paid per square foot of the driveway. The average cost of a typical asphalt driveway is between 0.15 and 0.25 dollars per square foot.
For example:
- Single-car driveway (200-400 sq. ft.): $30 to $100
- Double-car driveway (400-600 sq. ft.): $60 to $150
- Triple-car driveway (600-1,000 sq. ft.): 90 to 250
The bigger driveways or those with some additional elements such as slopes or curves can be more expensive because of the time and effort involved.
Condition of the Driveway
The quality of your driveway may have a great influence on the cost. In case your driveway is cracked, has potholes or other damages, the contractor might be required to do repairs prior to sealing. The additional effort will make the project more expensive. The average repair cost may be between 1 and 3 dollars per linear foot of crack repair.
In other instances, when your driveway is in a bad condition, the contractor may recommend resurfacing prior to sealing, which will further increase the total cost by another dollar or two per square foot.
Type of Sealant Used
The cost can also be affected by the kind of sealant you use.
There are various types of asphalt sealers, including:
Coal Tar Sealers: These are the commonest and cheapest. They are priced at an average of 0.15 to 0.25 dollars per square foot.
Asphalt Emulsion Sealers: These are recycled and are usually slightly higher in price, costing between 0.20 and 0.30 dollars per square foot.
Polymer-Modified Sealers: These sealants are more protective and are usually more costly, ranging between 0.25 to 0.35 dollars per square foot.
Contractors may also provide a high-gloss finish that may attract an extra fee.
Labor Costs
Another substantial component of the cost is labor and the rates may differ according to your location and the experience of the contractor. The average cost of labor to seal a driveway will be between 100 to 300 dollars on a standard-sized driveway. Larger cities with higher overhead costs may have higher prices charged by the contractors.
Additional Services
These services can increase the cost of the driveway in case you want your driveway to be cleaned, cracks filled, or edges trimmed prior to sealing.
The following is a list of some of the other services that may influence the total cost:
Cleaning: Driveways have to be cleaned before sealing to ensure that the sealant sticks well. The cost of cleaning is usually between 0.10 and 0.20 dollars per square foot.
Crack Filling: In case your driveway has cracks, they will have to be filled prior to sealing. The cost of crack filling may be approximately 0.50-1 dollars per linear foot.
Sealant Application: A second application of sealant to provide additional protection can add a further cost of 0.10-0.15 dollars per square foot.
Average Cost of Sealing an Asphalt Driveway
The average cost of sealing a typical driveway is between 100 to 300 dollars and the overall cost will be determined by the factors mentioned above.
Here’s an estimated cost breakdown based on driveway size:
- Small Driveway (200-400 sq. ft.): 30-100 dollars
- Medium Driveway (400-600 sq. ft.): 60-150
- Big Driveway (600-1,000 sq. ft.): 90 to 250
This covers the simple sealing services but it is necessary to mention that other services such as crack repair or cleaning will add up to the cost.
Asphalt driveway sealing is a significant aspect of home maintenance and it can be used to prolong the life of your driveway and enhance its appearance. The price of sealing an asphalt driveway is usually between 100 and 300 dollars on a standard size driveway, though there are a number of factors that can influence the total price including size, condition, sealant type and other services.