Latest news with #asphalt
Washington Post
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Washington Post
Do I really need to seal my driveway?
Q: Do I really need to seal my driveway, or is that a racket? And can I do it myself? A: There is considerable debate about whether it's truly necessary to seal asphalt or concrete driveways, but there is also general agreement about the benefits of doing it. Both concrete and asphalt are mixtures of sand, gravel and a binder that holds everything together. In concrete, the glue is Portland cement. In asphalt, it's petroleum-based oil. Both types of paving, if installed correctly with drainage factored in, can last for decades as-is. But both types can also absorb — or be broken down by — spills. Acids and salt are big enemies for concrete; dripping oil from a vehicle can break down asphalt. Ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun can bleach colored concrete and degrade asphalt by making it more brittle and prone to cracking under pressure. And water is one of the worst foes for both types of paving. Where temperatures dip below freezing in the winter, the surfaces can crack when water seeps in and expands. Sealers help keep water from penetrating into the paving. Some have other benefits, such as blocking UV or protecting against stains. And all sealers help a driveway look like it's well cared for. For concrete, you can use a penetrating sealer, which seeps into the minute pores that were left when water in the original concrete mixture evaporated; or a topical sealer, which sits on the surface. For a driveway, the best choice is generally a penetrating sealer with siloxane and/or silane, such as Foundation Armor SX5000. It won't change the look of the concrete or make it more slippery, but it should block water and salt — and all of the problems they cause — for seven to 10 years before it needs to be reapplied. The manufacturer warns, though, that because it isn't a surface coating, it won't block stains. Nor does it resist spilled brake fluid, gasoline or many other solvents. To get more protection against stains (though still not against brake fluid, gasoline and solvents), you would need a surface sealer, such as Foundation Armor AR350, which would give the surface more of a wet look. By darkening the color, it would also help bring out any color added to the concrete, and it would protect against UV, which can cause colorants to fade. You could also mix in color to change the look of your driveway; Armor Foundation sells color packs that result in an opaque coating, like paint. But a surface coating would make the concrete slippery when it is wet, so for a driveway, you'd probably want to use an anti-slip additive or buy a sealer with that feature built in. Also be aware that a surface sealer typically doesn't last very long. You'd need to commit to ongoing maintenance, and you would need to reapply it in one to three years. If your driveway is asphalt, you'll probably want a water-based asphalt sealer. (Coal tar sealers are still sold in parts of the country, but some states have banned them because of concerns about toxic substances in the runoff.) The most challenging part isn't applying the sealer, usually with a squeegee; it's cleaning the surface and filling all the cracks. Pricier sealers include fine sand and other aggregates to help fill tiny cracks (wider cracks and any holes still need to be patched beforehand) and they are likely to last longer than their less expensive counterparts. Black Jack Drive-Maxx, sold at Lowe's and Ace Hardware, comes in formulas labeled 200, 400, 500, 700 and 1000; the 200 type is expected to last two years — probably good only if you're about to put your house on the market, given that all the preparation steps are the same. The 1000 sealer is expected to last 10 years. To decide whether you should seal your driveway yourself, read the technical data sheet, often referred to as the TDS, for the sealer and make sure the steps seem like ones you're able to follow precisely. Details about surface preparation, the application process, the weather and even the time of day really matter, and they vary by product. For example, with its topical sealer, Armor says to work after 5 p.m., when the temperature is dropping and the driveway isn't likely to be in direct sun. For Black Jack Drive-Maxx 1000 asphalt sealer, though, you should work when the temperature is rising. With concrete sealers especially, apply the product in a small test area before you coat the whole driveway. That way you can avoid unexpected problems, which can occur if an earlier sealer is incompatible with what you are applying, or if the driveway isn't clean and dry — or damp, the requirement for some asphalt sealers. Calling a pro might be especially helpful if you don't know what care your driveway has received in the past. Family Handyman has a good step-by-step guide for installing asphalt sealer, including tips about the main ways people mess up, such as by trying to stir a bucket of thick, gooey sealer with a stick instead of with a paddle powered by a drill. The guide author's answer to the question of whether asphalt sealers are really necessary? 'It's true that driveway sealer can't replace the liquid asphalt (oil/tar) that oxidizes and bakes out of the mixture from heat and sun exposure. But a high-quality sealer can dramatically reduce future heat and UV damage. Plus, it seals the pores to prevent aggregate breakup damage caused by water penetration, freeze/thaw cycles and chemicals. So it really does extend the life of your driveway.' Have a problem in your home? Send questions to localliving@ Put 'How To' in the subject line, tell us where you live and try to include a photo.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Paving contractor leaves a pile of asphalt behind after paving job
Toronto Watch Paving contractor leaves pile of asphalt behind after paving job. CTV's Pat Foran reports.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Hamilton headaches: Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway closed this weekend
Workers perform maintenance on the Lincoln M. Alexander in Hamilton, Ont. in this undated image. (Courtesy: City of Hamilton) Anyone travelling through Hamilton will need to avoid one of the most popular routes through the city. The Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway, colloquially known simply as the LINC, is closed this weekend for annual general maintenance and asphalt repairs. The eastbound lanes between Gold Links Road to the Upper Red Hill Valley Parkway off-ramp are closed from Friday at 8 a.m. until Monday at 5 a.m. Meanwhile, the westbound lanes are closed from the Red Hill Valley Parkway to Mohawk Road from Friday at 10 a.m. to Monday at 5 a.m. Detours are in place along Mohawk Road and Stone Church Road, but drivers should expect delays due to the heavy traffic volume. The maintenance work includes spot resurfacing and asphalt repairs, milling and paving some sections of the road, graffiti removal, bridge and signage repairs, pavement markings, ditchings, catch basin cleaning and vegetation maintenance. The work was originally supposed to take place from May 30 to June 2, but was rescheduled because of weather conditions.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Sudbury unveils list of roads for its large patch repair program
A pothole is seen in Sudbury in this file photo. Greater Sudbury has put together a list of roadways that frequently have potholes and would benefit from large, full-lane asphalt replacement, rather than just pothole repair. Greater Sudbury has put together a list of roadways that frequently have potholes and would benefit from large, full-lane asphalt replacement, rather than just pothole repair. 'By intervening in localized areas of distress, large asphalt patches help to restore structural integrity and prevent further degradation of the pavement,' said a staff report headed to the June 16 operations committee. Pothole damage reimbursement The city has set aside $11.7 million for the large asphalt patches program, which will run until 2027. More help on the way for Sudbury's pothole problem Greater Sudbury has put together a list of roadways that frequently have potholes and would benefit from large, full-lane asphalt replacement, rather than just pothole repair. 'This approach enhances safety and ride quality for road users while deferring the need for more extensive and costly rehabilitation or reconstruction.' The city has set aside $11.7 million for the large asphalt patches program, which will run until 2027. To determine which roads would benefit the most, staff analyzed data from last winter, looking for the busiest areas where potholes repeatedly popped up. Work to begin next month Other criteria included sites that are difficult to repair – such as intersections – major roadways and problem areas that are 'more time-consuming to travel to.' A contract has been tendered with the work this year expected to begin next month and run until November. The patches are normally a full lane in width and run between 50 and 500 metres, depending on the conditions. 'Approximately 83,000 square metres will be completed, which is equivalent to 23 lane kilometres at a 3.5 metres lane width,' the report said. 'This represents a 45 per cent increase in asphalt patches to be completed with the approved budget.' A full list of the 27 roads selected for the program can be found here, and includes roads in Sudbury (Barry Downe Road, Lasalle Boulevard, The Kingsway), the Valley (Cote Boulevard, Deschesne Road), Rayside (Errington Avenue, Notre Dame Avenue), Skead Road and the Garson-Coniston Road.
CTV News
13-05-2025
- CTV News
Rash of vandalism and car break-ins target Copeland Park neighbourhood
Shirley Mackay shows her broken window after chunks of asphalt were thrown at it on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News).
