Have you recently sealed your driveway and accidentally sprayed too much sealant on your curbs? It’s frustrating, and it can also be an eyesore for you and other drivers. One small mistake can stand out like a sore thumb on your driveway. But, you can always clean sealant off curbs without panic!
Let’s walk through the different methods of cleaning asphalt off curbs, talk about what works best (and what to avoid), and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Why Does This Even Happen?
Asphalt sealant is a sticky, tar-like material that’s designed to bond to pavement and protect it from wear and tear. But because it’s so sticky, it can easily end up where you don’t want it. For example, on the edges of your driveway, walkway, or curbs.
Wind, spraying technique, or just a simple oversight can lead to overspray. Once it hits the curb, it quickly bonds to the surface and doesn’t come off easily with just soap and water.
Three Methods to Clean Sealant
Now, let’s get into actually cleaning sealant off curbs. Each one comes with its pros and cons, so it really depends on the situation and how much sealant ends up on the curb.
1. Power Washing
Power washing is often the first method that comes to mind, and for a good reason. It’s fast and can strip away layers of grime, paint, and yes, even asphalt sealant. But when it comes to curbs, it’s not always the best first choice.
Here’s the thing: power washing doesn’t just remove the sealant. It also blasts away dirt and buildup that’s been sitting on the curb for years. The result? A super clean patch that may not match the rest of the curb. That can make it look worse than before, especially if only a small section was affected.
Best case for using this: You’re planning to clean the entire curb anyway. Power washing everything is a smart way to make sure it all looks the same.
2. Solvents
Solvents are chemical cleaners that break down the sealant so it can be wiped or rinsed off. However, it’s not quite as simple as you think.
Using solvents takes a bit of practice. If it’s applied wrong, it can damage the surface of the curb or even damage things nearby, like grass or plants. Some solvents are strong enough to break down the sealant but can also strip paint or stain other surfaces. That’s why, in most cases, this method is best left to professionals.
When done right, this is one of the most effective ways of cleaning sealant off curbs without leaving behind uneven spots. AHS specializes in asphalt work, and we include cleanup as well as a 5-year limited warranty for services performed by us - saving you from having to handle it yourself!
3. Prevent Overspray
Of course, the best way to deal with cleaning asphalt off curbs is to avoid needing to do it in the first place. Here are a couple of tips to help you prevent it altogether:
- Protective Barriers: Before sealant is applied, masking off the edges with tape or setting up physical barriers is a small step that makes a big difference. It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent messes before they happen.
- Controlled Application: Using the right tools and spraying methods goes a long way. A careful, controlled application keeps the sealant exactly where it should be and reduces the chances of accidental overspray.
- Watch the Weather: Windy days are not ideal for sealcoating. Wind can carry fine mist or droplets further than expected, which is one of the most common ways sealant ends up on curbs unintentionally.
At AHS, we follow the best practices, which is one of the many reasons to contact us for this type of work. We take steps to prevent problems like curb overspray. And if a mistake happens, we’ll handle cleaning the sealant off the curbs safely.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with overspray is annoying, but it’s also fixable. If you choose the right method, you’ll clean those pesky accidents away in no time.
Power washing works well in some cases, but not all. Solvents are effective but tricky. And sometimes, prevention is the best cure. So next time you notice sealant on your curb, don’t panic. You've got options, and you’ve got the pros who know what they’re doing.
