Whether to DIY or professionally seal your asphalt driveway boils down to cost, time, and the quality of the end product.
DIY asphalt sealing is less expensive initially, with the minimum materials such as sealant, crack filler, and tools ranging from $73 to $130 based on your driveway size. It does take 3-5 hours of labor, in addition to prep and cleanup.
Pros, on the other hand, bring expertise and higher-quality materials, like durable oil-based sealants, for $200 to $350.
While doing it yourself will be cheaper, it takes more effort and time, and the results won't last as long.
DIY Asphalt Sealing Costs:
If you're considering doing the sealant work yourself, the initial piece of information you'll need to be aware of is how much the materials will cost.
The following is what you can budget for some of the standard materials you'll need for DIY asphalt sealing:
Water-Based Driveway Sealant:
This will cover around 93 square meters (1,000 square feet). If your driveway is only small, then it can be a very cheap option, but if your driveway is quite big, then you will be in the market for several buckets.
Crack Filler:
Epoxyshield Premium Crack Filler (946mL) is priced at $13.87. This is essential for filling in cracks before you apply the sealant to make sure you have a smooth surface and prevent water from creeping into the asphalt.
Masking Tape:
A roll of Scotch Contractor Grade Masking Tape (1.88 in x 60.1 yd) costs about $4.97. You’ll need this to mask off edges and surrounding areas to keep the sealant from spilling onto the lawn or sidewalks.
Roller:
The Wagner Smart Edge Roller, which will help you roll on the sealant with a smooth motion, is $25.97. It's a tool you must have in order to give a smooth finish, especially if you are doing this manually and not with a sprayer.
Estimated DIY Costs Based on Driveway Size:
Of course how much a DIY asphalt sealing job would cost is going to depend on how big your driveway is. Let’s break it down:
- 1-Car Driveway:
- Materials:
- 1 pail of sealant: $28.58
- 1 crack filler: $13.87
- 1 roll of masking tape: $4.97
- 1 roller: $25.97
- Total Material Cost: $73.39
- Time Investment: 3-5 hours
- 2-Car Driveway:
- Materials:
- 2 pails of sealant: $57.16
- 1 crack filler: $13.87
- 1 roll of masking tape: $4.97
- 1 roller: $25.97
- Total Material Cost: $101.97
- Time Investment: 3-5 hours
- 4-Car Driveway:
- Materials:
- 3 pails of sealant: $85.74
- 1 crack filler: $13.87
- 1 roll of masking tape: $4.97
- 1 roller: $25.97
- Total Material Cost: $130.55
- Time Investment: 3-5 hours
Professional Asphalt Sealing Costs:
If you are considering hiring one of our asphalt sealing experts to get the job done professionally, it's not going to be cheaper. But keep in mind, you’re paying for our skills, expertise, equipment, and guarantee that the job will be done right, with no headaches or stress.
The difference between our jobs and a DIY asphalt sealing project is night and day. Here is a quick breakdown of our prices for asphalt sealing.
- 1-Car Driveway: $200
- 2-Car Driveway: $300
- 4-Car Driveway: $350
With these prices, we make sure to do the whole process from start to finish: prepping the driveway, applying the sealant, and cleaning up afterward.
Our team also use higher-quality materials that will last longer and give you that fresh looking finish.
Considerations
While DIY asphalt sealing might seem the cheaper alternative in theory, there are several factors you should consider before you decide:
Time and Effort
DIY sealing consumes 3-5 hours of your time, but that doesn't include the prep work like cleaning the driveway, patching cracks, and taping off sections.
Then, of course, there's the cleanup afterwards, which could take an additional hour or two. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty and are willing to spend your Saturday sealing your driveway, DIY might be the way to go.
But if you're short on time or would prefer not to have the hassle, paying a professional might be worth it.
Quality of Materials
One of the main differences between do-it-yourself and our professional sealing is the quality of materials.
DIY sets use water-based sealants, which are cheaper but maybe less durable than professional oil-based sealants.
Oil-based sealants offer better defense against UV exposure, water, and wear and tear, thus making them more appropriate as long-term solutions. Our team also make use of professionally graded crack fillers and materials that help drive a smooth and even finish.
Expertise
While DIY seems like a cheap way to save a few bucks, applying the sealant isn't as simple as just rolling it on.
Our professionals has the expertise to make sure the surface is properly prepared, the sealant is evenly applied, and it's all done right. Common DIY sealer mistakes, like uneven application or doing it in bad weather, can lead to cracking, peeling, or uneven finishes.
Wrapping It Up
Asphalt sealing yourself will save you a buck in the short term, but you have to factor the cost, effort, and time against the value of having it done by someone else.
If you have time to do it and don't care to get dirty, doing it yourself can be perfect. But if you want a quality, long-lasting finish without the hassle, pay someone to do it.
At Action Paving, we specialize at making your driveway look and function at its best. If you want to do it yourself or have a professional do it, we're here to help with advice and quality work!
