If you just put down a new driveway or if your existing driveway is showing signs of wear and tear, you're probably seriously considering sealing your driveway. One of the main questions you may have when researching driveway sealer is how much driveway sealer you need? We've done the research for you and figured out how you can easily calculate how much driveway sealer you need for your driveway.
Here are three easy steps to calculate how much driveway sealer you need:
- First, calculate the square footage of your driveway.
- Then, divide the square footage of your driveway by 80 to find how many gallons you'll need. One gallon of sealer covers approximately 80 square feet of driveway.
- Finally, divide the number of gallons you need by 5 to calculate how many buckets you'll need for one coat of sealer --each bucket of sealer is generally 5 gallons.
Pretty simple, right? Now that you know how to calculate the amount of driveway sealer you'll need for your project, you probably have additional questions about the whole process. For example, how much sealer will you need if your driveway needs two coats? How much does driveway sealer cost? What kind of sealer is best? Thankfully, we've rounded up some of the most need-to-know information on driveway sealing so you can easily learn all you need for this process.
Do driveway sealers need two coats?
So you calculated how much sealer you need for your driveway -- for one coat. But what if your driveway needs two coats? How do you even know if it needs the additional coat? Thankfully, for a residential driveway, one coat of sealer will usually do the job. However, if your driveway is in particularly rough shape, you should consider applying two coats of sealer.
When applying the second coat of sealer, it is best to wait until the first coat is fully dry and cured. A safe way to ensure the sealer is cured is to wait a full 24 hours so that all areas, including the hairline cracks that get filled, are fully dry.
You might be wondering how much sealer you will need if your driveway requires a second coat. A second coat will only use approximately 2/3 the amount of sealer as the first coat. So you can simply multiply the amount of sealer you need for the first coat by 0.66 to figure out how much sealer you need for the second coat.
How much does a 5-gallon bucket of driveway sealer cost?
Cost is always an important factor in any home project. Driveway sealer costs can vary dramatically depending on what type you go for. The price of driveway sealers can range from about $20 to well over $100.
Thankfully, a 5-gallon bucket of driveway sealer that will do the job for a residential driveway will only set you back about $20 or $30. Home improvement and hardware stores, Lowe's, for example, will likely have the best selection of driveway sealers for different types of driveways and in different price ranges.
You can also check out this premium driveway sealer on Amazon.
Is it cheaper to seal your own driveway vs. hiring professionals?
An easy question for any home project is whether DIY'ing will save you money. As in most cases, when it comes to sealing your driveway -- yes, you will definitely save money if you do it yourself instead of hiring a professional.
If you seal your own driveway, you will only be paying for the cost of materials, such as the sealer. However, sealing a driveway is a time-consuming and difficult task. So if you value convenience and want professional results, you may want to hire a professional.
When you hire a professional to seal your driveway, you will spend more money than doing it yourself. This is because you'll be paying for the cost of labor in addition to the cost of materials. However, with professionals, you should end up with better, quicker results.
Which is better brush-on or spray-on driveway sealer?
When it comes to driveway sealers, there are different types to choose from. Two of the most popular application methods are brush-on and spray-on sealers. How do you choose one over the other? Which one is better? We break it down for you here:
Spray-on sealer
Most professionals will prefer spray-on sealer over brush-on sealer. Why? Well, spray-on sealer provides a much faster and easier application. Rather than having to manually brush it all over your driveway, a high-pressure sprayer is used to apply the sealer to your driveway.
Additionally, spray-on sealer makes it easier to create an even seal. This is because the spray application evenly emits the sealer throughout the entire sealing process.
Brush-on sealer
While spray-on sealer has its benefits, brush-on sealer has been around for years, and plenty of homeowners and professionals have received great results using this kind of sealer. However, it does require more manual labor than a spray-on sealer.
Additionally, brush-on sealer can lead to streaks or an uneven application of sealer. When applying the sealer with the brush method, a squeegee-type brush is used to move the sealer into place. This process is heavily reliant on manual techniques. The individual applying the sealer is responsible for evenly coating the surface by hand. Due to this, brush-on sealer can also take more time than spray-on application.
What time of year should you seal your driveway?
The best time to seal your driveway is between May and October. This is because the weather is milder than in the colder winter months, when frost and ice are prevalent. Regardless of the time of year, you should always check the weather forecast before starting to seal your driveway. You should not start sealing your driveway if rain is expected, as the rain can ruin the driveway sealer and all of your or the professionals' hard work!
Additionally, once you seal your driveway, you should ensure it stays dry and untouched for at least 12 hours following the sealer application. This will allow the sealer to fully set and not be damaged. So be sure that you won't need to use your driveway for a while after your sealer is applied.
Summary
Sealing your driveway is a great way to protect a new driveway or enhance a driveway that is showing signs of wear and tear. Thankfully, it's quite simple to figure out how much driveway sealer you'll need for your driveway -- for either just one coat or for two!
It's also important to consider the costs of sealing your driveway. Factors that will impact the cost of this process include: how much sealer you need, whether or not your driveway needs two coats of sealer, and hiring a professional versus doing it yourself.
Finally, it is extremely important that you plan out when you will seal your driveway. Be sure to check the forecast for rain and make sure you won't need to touch or use your driveway for at least 12 hours after the sealer is applied.
If you're on the hunt for more information on driveways and driveway sealing, you should definitely check out our other posts on the topic: