How Long Does Sealcoating Extend the Life of Driveways?

Experts recommend sealcoating your driveway as part of your regular maintenance routine. After sealcoating you’ll notice that your gray, dull driveways look much more appealing, but applying sealer doesn’t just increase your business’s curb appeal. It also extends the lifespan of your driveways.

The Power of Sealcoating

When you follow a proven maintenance schedule, sealcoating can typically extend your driveway’s lifespan by up to 20 years. Regular maintenance includes sealcoating and repairing any minor cracks when they appear. A high-quality sealcoating for driveways, such as black top sealer, gets the best results.

How Sealcoating Extends a Driveway’s Lifespan

Sealcoating adds a protective layer between your asphalt driveway and the outside world. This layer prevents external forces that could damage your driveway from penetrating its surface. There are various ways that sealcoating protects your driveway and extends its life.

It Protects Against Sun Damage

You protect yourself from damage due to the harsh Florida sun by slathering on sunblock when you head outdoors. You can also find shade or head inside when the sun’s beating down. Your driveway doesn’t have that luxury, but there’s something you can do to protect it from sun damage. That’s right: sealcoating. When UV rays hit your driveway’s surface it triggers a chemical reaction called oxidation. This reaction causes fading and breaks down the binders that hold asphalt together. Sealcoating acts like sunblock for your driveway, preventing the UV rays from penetrating its surface and oxidation occurring.

It Makes Your Driveway Waterproof

Your driveway will regularly come in contact with water when it rains or snows and when you wash your company vehicles. Without sealcoating to repel water, it’ll penetrate the asphalt surface and wear away the ground underneath. This can make your driveway’s foundation unstable. Water can also create unsightly, unsafe cracks in your driveway’s surface.

It Melts Ice and Snow Faster

By restoring the original black surface, sealcoating helps your driveway retain heat. This property helps sealcoated driveways melt ice and snow faster than driveways that don’t receive this maintenance. While snow isn’t a concern in Florida, it can still get frosty over winter. If your driveway can melt ice faster, this damaging element won’t stick around long enough to create cracks. As a bonus, it’ll help people who use your driveway stay safe by making the surface less slippery.

It Makes Cracking Less Likely

Water and ice aren’t the only substances that can cause driveway cracks. Any force that puts pressure on your driveway, such as the weight of your vehicle, can create cracks. Sealcoating becomes more flexible as it warms up in the sun. When your driveway’s surface has some flexibility, it’s less likely to crack than if it stayed rigid.

It Shields Against Chemical Damage

Your vehicle relies on harsh chemicals such as gas, oil, and de-icing solutions to function reliably. While these substances are good for vehicles, they can wreak havoc on your driveway. If your car has leaks or you accidentally spill chemicals during maintenance, sealcoating stops these toxic substances from penetrating your driveway and eating away at its asphalt.

It Makes Maintenance Easier

Sealcoating gives your driveway a smooth, like-new finish, which makes it easier to maintain. Since sealcoating removes cracks and makes the surface waterproof, your maintenance team can hose down your driveway without worrying about the risk of water damage. They can also easily sweep away dirt, dust, and debris, which can act as abrasive agents and slowly wear down your driveway over time.

How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Driveway?

In 2024, Forbes reported that the average cost of driveway sealing is $490 but that costs typically range from $160 to $1,000. The cost of sealing a driveway varies dramatically based on several factors, including the driveway’s size, the type of sealant, the number of coats applied, whether there’s preexisting damage, and how extensive the damage is. It can also cost more if the job involves cleaning before laying the sealant. Sealcoating companies may also charge more if there are pavers around the driveway or if their client requests custom stamps or unique dyes.

With prices varying so significantly, you’ll want to get a personalized estimate for the cost of sealcoating your driveway. Just contact us at U.S. Pave and we’ll provide you with a free estimate. We’ll happily answer questions about our methods and materials so that you understand what your estimate includes. We pride ourselves on delivering the best driveway sealing results for a fair price in the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Tampa areas of Florida.

How Often to Seal a Driveway

Experts recommend sealing your driveways every two or three years, depending on your location and usage. If your driveway is exposed to harsh elements, like the bright sun of Florida, or many customers use your driveway daily, you may want to sealcoat it every two years. If your driveways are often in the shade or only used by a small group of employees daily, three years may be more appropriate. Certain driveway sealcoating materials will also last longer than others.

If you’re unsure how often to seal your driveways, contact our expert team. We can create a personalized maintenance plan that considers the wear and tear of your driveways and your preferred choice of sealer.

Trust U.S. Pave to Sealcoat Your Driveway

When it’s time to sealcoat your business’s driveways in the Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, or Tampa areas of Florida, trust the experts at U.S. Pave. We provide professional maintenance services for organizations in all business sectors, including hotels and restaurants, shopping centers, educational institutions, and corporate offices. No job is too big or small for our dedicated team of sealcoating professionals. Complete our online contact form or call U.S. Pave today at 954-769-0781 for an estimate on our sealcoating services or to learn more about how we can help your business.