Your home’s driveway provides a place for kids to play and smooth ride for your car while also having a significant impact on your property’s curb appeal. Sealcoating is needed to protect pavement from moisture, debris, and UV rays. Applying coating is an arduous, messy task that is best left to the professionals. Here are a few common mistakes homeowners make before calling a paving contractor.

A Guide to Sealcoating Slip-Ups 

1. Not Cleaning the Surface

If the pavement is not washed before sealcoating is applied, all the grime and moisture on it will be trapped inside. When dirt, pollen, and corrosive chemicals from vehicles get trapped within the surface, they can erode the driveway and cause structural problems like cracks.

2. Not Fixing Damaged Areas

Cracks and other problems like potholes and slumping sections should be fixed before the pavement is sealed. If they aren’t, the coating will be ineffective since moisture can still get beneath the surface to continue eroding the material.

3. Applying It Too Often

Touching up paved surfaces as problems arise is smart. However, sealcoating should only be used every few years. Applying more coating onto an existing layer of sealcoating can cause one or both to begin peeling away. Consider getting the remainder of the existing coating removed before applying a new one. 

4. Not Letting It Dry 

The coating only becomes durable and resistant to the elements when it’s left to dry. Messing with it or allowing it to be exposed to moisture can cause it to break down and peel. Coating should be applied on a sunny, clear day in an area sectioned off from traffic.

When you’re looking for a pavement expert to help with sealcoating, choose Lyons & Hohl Paving in East Earl, PA. This skilled paving contractor has been operating since 1978, providing paving and repairs for parking lots, driveways, and more. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (717) 355-9219.