A driveway sealer is a product applied to asphalt and concrete driveways to protect them against tire marks, stains, and salt damage from snow or water. Homeowners who seal their driveways also add value to their homes by keeping their driveways in top condition. So, if you want your home to look better and be more presentable, you should use a driveway sealer. It is easy to find and widely available; you can easily buy it from a store near you.

There are basically two different types of sealers that you can use for your concrete or asphalt driveway: water based and oil based. Although both have their own pros and cons, water based driveway sealer is arguably the better choice for your driveway. A water based driveway sealer can either be asphalt emulsion or coal-tar emulsion. Asphalt emulsion is actually asphalt that is suspended in water while coal-tar emulsion is a byproduct of the steel industry.

When using a water based sealer, you should see to it that you apply enough coatings. This driveway sealer forms a protective layer on your flooring but does not penetrate deeply. So, you should re-apply it again in order for it to be effective. Nonetheless, you do not have to wait for a long time before you can use your driveway. A water based driveway sealer is quicker to dry than its oil based counterpart. It is also more environmentally friendly.

It does not produce a strong odor that lingers for day, so it will not hurt your nose and lungs. Plus, it does not contain any volatile organic compounds or VOCs that contributes to the destruction of the environment. Unlike its oil based counterpart, water based driveway sealer is safe and non-hazardous. In fact, it is more recommended to use. There are certain states that have banned oil-based sealants due to their chemical properties and hazardousness.

If you want your home to look and function better yet you also want nature to not suffer, you should use a water based driveway sealer. It is easy and safe to use as well as simple to dispose of. Unlike with its oil-based counterpart, there is no need to contact your local waste facility to handle this hazardous product. You can just leave it out to dry, and then throw it away with the other garbage in your trash bin.

Anyway, before you apply a sealer, see to it that you clean the area well. You should remove all kinds of debris and vegetation on the surface and then rinse it with water. You should also level depressions as well as patch deep holes with cold fillers. You can use acrylic or sand fillers for large cracks. You can also use commercial cleaners to scrub off gasoline spills and stubborn stains. Your driveway should be flawless prior to application of the sealant.