Asphalt driveways can last for a long time, but they can’t maximize their lifespan without proper installation and regular maintenance.
Recycled asphalt, or RAP (recycled asphalt pavement), is a reprocessed product that contains aggregates. The main composite sources come from excavation projects, plant cleanouts, previously rejected materials, and full-depth pavement removal.
Once the materials are secured, a milling machine removes the unwanted surfaces while the remainder becomes usable asphalt.
The quality of recycled asphalt can vary, so asking about RAP composition is helpful before starting a driveway project or inheriting one after a real estate transaction.
Can You Seal a Recycled Asphalt Driveway?
Recycled asphalt is sealable in the same manner as new materials. It requires a commercial-grade product to stop excessive tracking from occurring. This work must be repeated every two to three years to ensure a high-quality surface and regularly fill cracks.
Almost anyone can seal an asphalt driveway when they have the tools and materials available. When this work is completed every 24 to 36 months, the driveway can last for up to 30 years before it’ll need to be replaced.
When you choose recycled asphalt over new materials, you can save significantly on the installation cost.
Although the sealant will be more since a commercial-grade product is necessary, most homeowners can still save hundreds or thousands of dollars on this property upgrade.
Asphalt driveway sealing preparation work can take a full day to complete, and the job can be tedious.
The application phase proceeds faster, requiring only a few hours for each coat before moving to the next.
Most asphalt driveway sealant manufacturers recommend at least two coats with eight hours of drying time between, which means this job will take up the entire weekend.
It helps to have a power washer to clean the driveway. You’ll need a drill, a broom, a mixing paddle, rolls of duct tape, a dashing brush, and poly sheeting to protect nearby surfaces.
Common Mistakes Made with DIY Asphalt Sealing
If you apply asphalt sealer too often, it will flake off the driveway. You’ll want to wait until you see the material aggregate before applying a new coat.
That’s one common mistake you’ll want to avoid when sealing a recycled asphalt driveway. Here are some of the other issues that come up quite often for those attempting this DIY chore.
- Not Filling the Cracks. The sealant’s job isn’t to fill in the asphalt cracks that form in driveways. That’s your responsibility before applying your preferred product. It’s especially important to remove them first when you have recycled aggregate.
- Failing to Clean. If you don’t clean an asphalt driveway before applying the sealant, you might as well skip the project altogether. This lifespan-enriching product won’t stick to dirty surfaces. That’s why it takes so long to prepare the surface.
- Not Stirring the Sealant. Some homeowners treat asphalt sealant like a bucket of paint, right down to the point where they even use a stir stick to prepare the product. You won’t get enough of a blend between the solids and water for a consistent mixture with that technique.
- Incorrect Applicator. If you use a squeegee instead of a brush when the manufacturer recommends the latter, you can experience premature sealant failure. Always use the tools suggested on the container to achieve the best results.
You’ll discover that driveway sealer is available in different price ranges and grades.
You need to be careful when choosing a cheap asphalt driveway sealer because the products contain more water than others. If the item is 50% water, you’ll have a lower coverage rate and overall lifespan.
Think of it this way. If you want to spiff up the driveway before selling your home, a high-water sealant is an affordable option to use. When you need ten to 20 years of service, invest in something that delivers long-term support.
What Formula of Asphalt Sealant Do I Need?
Asphalt sealant manufacturers produce different formulas to help you manage the unique conditions that your driveway might face.
If you have a newer driveway in excellent condition, the formulation needed to seal the asphalt differs from an older product that wasn’t maintained.
Each formula has different coverage calculations to consider, so it is essential to read each label carefully. That’s the only way to choose the proper sealant and quantity for your needs.
Most products will cover between 300 to 400 square feet.
Once you have the sealant, use the applicator recommended by the manufacturer. You’ll also need a liquid driveway degreaser or cleaner that can remove tree sap and oil to prepare your driveway for the update.
Driveways with visible oil stains need to use an oil spot primer before proceeding to the cleaning work.
How to Repair an Asphalt Driveway
Recycled asphalt driveways are more prone to damage because of the differences in aggregate used for the installation. That’s why some people and websites say that you cannot seal it, but that’s not the case.
You’ll need to repair the cracks and fill in potholes before proceeding with the sealant work. Once you have a smooth surface, you can proceed with the rest of the steps to seal your driveway.
Do you need to repair your asphalt driveway because it’s time to seal it? If so, here are the steps to follow so that you have a positive result.
- Clean out all the cracks and potholes in the driveway. Weeds will take advantage of these spots, so they must be removed. You’ll need to remove any debris that collects in there as well. Once the visible items are gone, use a pressure washer to clean out the spaces, allowing the driveway to dry after.
- Apply weed killer to the driveway cracks and potholes. You’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how long to let the product work before moving to the next step.
- Fill small cracks with a filler compound. Red Devil uses a tube similar to caulking that lets you target these spaces accurately to create a watertight seal. It also resists cracking, provides weatherproofing, and adheres to a damp surface.
- Deep cracks should be filled with sand until getting to within a quarter-inch of the driveway surface. Tamp the material with a steel tamper that fits inside the crack. Continue to add sand until you cannot place more to be within the same quarter-inch level.
- Apply your patching compound during this step. Most products get poured directly from a bucket or bag. You can sometimes scoop it into the crack with a trowel. Apply thin layers, tamping it down until you achieve a smooth finish.
- Allow the asphalt repair to cure for the allotted time specified by the manufacturer. It might take several hours or days before you can use the driveway again, so have alternative plans available.
- Once the curing process is complete, apply the sealant to the repaired area and the rest of the driveway.
If it has only been a few months since your last sealant work, it’s okay to apply an asphalt seal to the repaired area until your next complete driveway maintenance investment.
Check the Weather Before Getting to Work
Before you get all the tools and products outside to start your sealant work, take a peek at the weather forecast for your community.
The temperatures must stay above 50°F during the application and drying process to have a successful experience.
It’s also better to avoid hot and sunny days because the sealer can dry too fast, creating peeling or cracking issues to repair.
If it decides to rain, you can see hundreds of dollars of sealer wash away after a long day of work – that you’ll need to repeat to ensure your driveway is protected.
You’ll find that working with Liquid Rubber colored waterproof sealant ensures that you get the surface quality you want and the color you love.
This product uses a membrane structure that prevents adhesion failure, unlike a standard sealer. It also includes UV stability to prevent fading from prolonged sunshine exposure.
One gallon of Liquid Rubber covers approximately 30 square feet. You can achieve a 30mm membrane with three or four heavy coats.
You’ll get the protective surface you want for your driveway while applying it more like paint.
Steps to Follow When Sealing the Driveway
After completing repairs and finding your sealant, it’s time to seal the recycled asphalt driveway. Here are the steps to follow to complete the project.
Clean and Prime the Driveway
If you have a power washer, use the soap nozzle to apply driveway cleaner. Once you’ve washed the entire surface, scrub it with a stiff-bristle brush or broom. You must touch every surface to ensure the asphalt sealant will stick.
Rinse the driveway with a strong stream after brushing it to remove the dirt residue, soap, and cleaner.
After rinsing it entirely once, do it a second time with clear water. After allowing the asphalt to dry, perform a final sweep with your broom.
Pretreat Oil Stains
Use oil spot primer on damaged recycled asphalt, brushing the material into the pores with a disposable paintbrush.
If the stain is heavy, apply a second coat. It helps to think of this product as a primer that goes on the wall before painting.
You need to let the primer dry before proceeding with the sealant work.
Time to Mask, Stir, and Trim
Start the mixing paddle near the top of the pail filled with sealant. Slowly lower it into the contents that settle near the bottom.
Keep moving it up and down while spinning it to achieve an appropriate mix and a smooth consistency.
Cover the area where you mix the sealant with poly sheeting to prevent spills. A dried spill will show through your sealer. Remove the lid, cut a small home in the center, and use that to prevent splashing.
Tape the Edges
Use duct tape to apply a barrier against under materials along the driveway, especially if you have pavers or sidewalks that connect.
You’ll also want to provide protection for nearby shrubs, bushes, flowers, and lawn areas that could be affected by the sealant.
Don’t forget to mask the garage door with poly sheeting!
Once you have the edges taped, dip your dashing brush in the sealer. Apply a liberal coating to all the driveway edges. If you spread it thinly, you won’t have the product get into the asphalt pores.
Stage Your Pails
It helps to estimate how much coverage you’ll need for the entire driveway. Once you have a guess, place additional sealant pails where you think you’ll need them.
This step will save some time while reducing the need to walk through wet sealant to reach the next product.
Sealant is difficult to remove from footwear and clothing, so it helps to wear items that you won’t mind getting damaged.
Pour the Sealant
You can pour the sealant directly on the recycled asphalt driveway. It helps to start at the top edge, using the upside-down U-shape option to get coverage.
Once you’ve got enough of it down, apply even pressure to the applicator to spread the puddle across the driveway. It helps to work in rows so that you don’t accidentally paint yourself in a corner.
Is It Worth Investing in Recycled Asphalt Driveway Sealers?
Driveway sealers don’t replace liquid asphalt or tar, but it does dramatically reduce future damage risks from sun or heat exposure. It seals the pores to prevent breakup damage that water penetration causes, especially during freeze and thaw cycles. That’s why it can extend driveway life significantly.
There’s no denying the fact that applying sealant to recycled asphalt is dirty work. When you do it in the summer, it also gets hot out there quickly. After all, the dark color of the asphalt absorbs heat, which you can feel in your feet.
The first time I sealed an asphalt driveway was on my 17th birthday. Our family volunteered to do the work for a local charity, and I have always thought of it as a weekend of misery.
It was also a source of pride. When we drove by, you could say that you’d created that beautiful driveway.
Whether it’s for an upcoming sale or because you want to get more life out of the driveway, a high-quality sealant makes sense to use.
Investing in this DIY work today will help you add equity and performance to this essential space.