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We utilize two prominent oil and tar-based driveway sealers: BlackMac and JetBlack. Several factors come into play when determining the longevity of a driveway. These include the frequency of past sealing, the texture of the driveway surface (smooth or grainy), the presence of moisture buildup and puddles, as well as the snow removal practices employed. These factors significantly impact the driveway's durability over time.

On average, a well-maintained driveway can retain its dark appearance for about two years, with slight fading occurring over 3-4 years, and more significant fading becoming noticeable around the five-year mark. For our repeat clients, we maintain a list where their driveways and properties are resealed every two years. This proactive approach ensures that their driveways remain in optimal condition and enjoy an extended lifespan.

Here is what our premium driveway sealing service entails:

• Pre-book a sealing date

• We show up on time!

• We clean any dirt or weeds with our specialty scraper tools.

• We blow off the driveway with our backpack blower.

• We tape off any surrounding areas, interlock, or trim with 4-inch-wide masking tape.

• We fill any depressions with asphalt or cracks with crack filler (if included in the deal).

• We hold an overspray sign as we spray the perimeter of the driveway.

• We spray long, thick coats of sealer to infill the driveways.

• We seal with 100% undilutedJetBlack Oil/Tar based sealer.

• We remove all tape and throw it away.

• We leave caution tape at the end of the driveway so nobody steps or drives on the sealer.

• We collect payment, cash, card, or e-transfer.

• We create a contact for you then add you to our yearly reminders.

• We wave goodbye and hit our musical car horn!

This question is one of the most frequently asked, and fortunately, it has a straightforward answer. When determining if a driveway is dry after sealing, simply feel the surface. You can do this by using a cloth or by touching the driveway with your hand to see if any material transfers.

Under typical summer conditions with some sunlight, most driveways dry within 3-5 hours. In more extreme cases, such as high humidity or colder weather, we recommend homeowners refrain from using the driveway until the next morning, which is approximately 18-20 hours after sealing, to ensure proper curing of the sealer.

It's important to note that some companies may exaggerate drying times to bolster claims about their products. In reality, the sealer dries quickly, typically within the aforementioned time frame. This quick drying time is beneficial, as it allows homeowners to resume parking on their driveway sooner, sparing them the inconvenience of finding alternative parking arrangements.

The age-old question of pricing in the sealing business has a straightforward answer in today's market. In Canada, there are two prominent suppliers of oil and tar-based sealers: JetBlack and Black Mac. These sealers are applied using sprayer systems, which can be either heated or non-heated. Regardless of the application method, the cost of the sealer remains consistent across all suppliers.

As a standard practice, the industry rate for sealing services is typically set at 30 cents per square foot. However, if you receive a quote significantly below this standard rate (e.g., 15 cents per square foot), it's important to exercise caution. Such exceptionally low pricing may indicate that the supplier is cutting corners by diluting the sealer with substances like diesel, motor oil, gasoline, or other used oils.

This practice severely compromises the effectiveness and longevity of the seal, ultimately undermining the value of the sealing service. Therefore, prioritize quality!

Preservation of Asphalt: Sealing a driveway allows oil and tar to penetrate the dry top layer of asphalt, which is continually worn down by sun exposure and vehicular traffic. This infusion of oil and tar helps soften the asphalt, delaying its inevitable cracking over time.

Enhanced Aesthetics: A sealed driveway provides a striking contrast, especially when adjacent to interlocking stones or a painted garage door. The sealer enhances the appearance of the driveway, adding to the overall curb appeal of the property.

Winter Maintenance: Sealed driveways aid in snow melting during winter months by attracting sunlight. Additionally, the sealer repels salt, which is commonly used for de-icing purposes, further protecting the integrity of the asphalt.

Our JetBlack oil-based driveway sealer is applied in thick coats, sprayed end to end, and worked down the driveway. Initially, streaks may appear as the sealer takes time to blend with each coat. However, after a couple of days, any streaking or overlap marks will dissipate. On hot days, these streaks or overlaps are barely noticeable from the start. It's important to emphasize that they always disappear and will not be visible.

The sealer dries to a shiny black finish, but after approximately 20-30 days of exposure to the sun, it will cure to its final matte black appearance. If sprayed on a driveway previously sealed with latex sealers for years, the sealer may cure to a semi-gloss finish because the latex prevents it from fully soaking into the asphalt. This is normal but should be noted.

It's also important to note that if the sealer is shielded from the sun, it will cure at a different rate. This doesn't affect the final outcome, but customers parking boats or trailers may wonder why the sealer remains shiny underneath. As soon as it's exposed to the sun, it will begin to look like the rest of the driveway.

For each of our seals, we pay close attention to the edges and the interface with concrete. We tape off all surrounding areas to ensure that each job comes out perfect!

The straightforward answer is yes; oil-based sealers are more durable and better suited for the Canadian climate. While water-based sealers may appear smoother after application, they create a layer on top of the driveway, which can peel or flake away over the coming years it is a non asphalt product being applied to asphalt.

What Emulsions Make Up Water-Based Sealcoating?

Water-based sealcoating comprises either coal-tar emulsions or asphalt emulsions. If you're unfamiliar with emulsions, an asphalt emulsion is asphalt suspended in water. Conversely, coal-tar emulsions, a byproduct of the steel industry, have a different structure from the asphalt they protect. Oil-based sealants are products that combine asphaltic chemicals in an oily suspension.

Why Does an Oil-Based Sealant Provide Better Protection?

While water-based sealcoating forms a protective layer on top of a driveway, oil-based sealants offer additional benefits. They penetrate the surface and create a flexible bond, decreasing the likelihood of contraction and expansion in winter. This isn’t to say that water-based sealcoating is ineffective, but it requires more frequent reapplication compared to an oil-based sealant. Additionally, water-based sealcoating tends to chip and crack over time, whereas oil-based sealants wear away more gracefully.

Furthermore, oil-based sealer, while more expensive per litre, offers several advantages. It can withstand various weather conditions, including winter (with a little heating), making it resilient to all climates. Many companies even utilize oil-based sealers as waterproofing sprays for excavation purposes. Remarkably, oil-based sealer can endure rainfall just five minutes after application without any adverse effects. It can also be directly sprayed onto oil leaks and stains, unlike water-based sealers, which require meticulous surface preparation due to their adhesive nature

Notice the pictures below the oil base sealer reflects water and causes it to bead of the driveway, the 2 images at the bottom show how water and latex based selaer will fail and let water below the surface, sometimes even needing to be powerwashed off the surface before resealing.

When it comes to oil/tar-based sealer, which we use exclusively, spraying is the preferred method. Many believe that spraying applies the sealer thinly; however, it's actually the opposite. Our sealer sprayer is set at 3 gallons per minute, allowing for even distribution across the driveway. Squeegeeing and rolling, on the other hand, spread the sealer much thinner over the surface, leading to uneven wear over time.

Some companies advocating for squeegeeing claim it fills cracks better. While this may hold true in the short term, sealer isn't flexible once cured, so any cracks filled with it will soon reopen. That's why we offer crack filling with a Latex/Rubber or spider crack resurfacing as an alternative.

Overall, those using water-based sealer typically recommend brushing or squeegeeing because the viscosity makes it challenging to control when sprayed. However, for oil and tar-based sealers, spraying is the superior choice in Canada.