Best way to seal a driveway?

Question

I am considering two options of sealing my driveway (about 4500 sq ft). I got a quote from a contractor and its not cheap. So now Im looking to do it myself. I found a Home Depot sealer, which is said to be good for up to 10 years. But the contractor says that his commercial grade sealer is much better, but at the same time he only gaurantees it for 5 years. He claims that Home Depot sealer turns gray in 3-4 months and is wont do the same job. Do I trust him, or go to HD to save money?

Answer 1

I bought the stuff at HD.  I remember they had 2 or 3 grades and I bought the most expensive stuff, it said something like Super Black, Black Diamond or something like that.  I didn't get 10 years out of it, but I did get about 8.  It held up pretty well and looked fine.  So I don't know what the contractor grade stuff is, but I doubt it's lots better than the stuff at HD.    

To be fair to your contractor, this really is a big, crappy, miserable job.  Carefully protect everything near the house, the garage door etc.  Assume everything you wear, including your shoes, will go into the trash at the end of the process.  Sweep, then power wash the whole driveway and let it dry completely before you start.

You also need to buy this special applicator that looks like a gigantic paint roller on a broom handle.  You need that or the job will take forever.

Finally, as I recall, the coverage/square footage estimates on the cans of the stuff turned out to be quite optimistic, buy more than you think you need, you can always return an unopened can, but the last thing on earth you want is to stop in the middle of the job.

Answer 2

Make sure you leave your cars outside if you need to drive them.

Answer 3

Do it your self, even if you did it once every 3-5 years you will still be way ahead, just put on some clothes to throw away boots too, rub some dish soap into you hands and arms and face. pour it out and spread away, but don't back your self in a corner, Pick a good hot summer evening so that the sun heated the driveway as much a possible, don't try and remove the bug and moths that you collect soon after the job gets started, they will wear off. Buy some Steaks with the money you saved

Answer 4

whats he goona say there stuff is better than mine   NOT    go to h d and do it your self  the stuff last a long time