Asphalt sealing costs an average of $446 with the typical cost range of $242 and $655. On average, sealcoating costs $0.14 to $0.25 per square foot.
This type of paving can be more durable than alternatives like gravel or concrete. Youll have fewer erosion problems in the rain and snow. But if the material is older, sealing it is a preventative measure to make it last longer. There are a few different factors that will affect the price of sealing it. Sealcoating asphalt can be a DIY task, but we recommend hiring a pro to make sure the job is long-lasting and done right.
On This Page
- Average Asphalt Sealer Price
- Labor Costs to Sealcoat Per Square Foot
- Costs by Use
- Residential Driveways
- Parking Lots
- Patios
- Walkways
- Basketball & Sport Courts
- Asphalt Roofing
- Basements Foundations
- Resealing Prep
- Warnings for New Driveways
- DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
- FAQs
Driveway Sealing Cost Calculator
National Average
$446
Typical Range
$242 - $655
Low End - High End
$135
-
$1,400
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Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 4,306 HomeAdvisor members in .
Average Asphalt Sealer Prices
If you want to seal an asphalt surface, there are several types of products at your disposal. Here are their specifications and average costs.Note: The typical 5-gallon sealcoat container can cover between 250-500 square feet depending on the materials condition and texture. For simplicitys sake, the following examples use five gallons that cover the maximum 500 square feet.
| Type | Per Square Foot | Per 5 Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt Polymer Emulsion | $0.10 - $0.17 | $85 |
| Cole Tar | $0.18 | $90 |
| Acrylic | $0.20 | $100 |
| Fast-Dry | $0.06 | $30 |
Asphalt Polymer Emulsion:
- Pros: These are known to be eco-friendly with a reduced risk of skin irritation and fewer bothersome smells.
- Cons: This sealant is prone to oil or gas stains. It must also be applied between May and September during the day for the best temperature conditions.
Coal Tar:
- Pros: The most popular type because it lasts a long time and resists common stains.
- Cons: The trade-off is that it may not be good for the environment or human health, as it emits pollutants and a carcinogen called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.
Acrylic:
- Pros: This synthetic compound is mainly composed of acrylic and polymers. It is neither prone to stains or harmful to the environment or health. Therefore, its often used by professionals.
- Cons: This sealcoat is usually the most expensive of your options.
Fast-Dry:
- Pros: You can use the surface just one hour after application for foot traffic and one day for vehicle traffic. Very convenient for businesses.
- Cons: Doesnt last as long as other sealcoats. For proper installation, it requires temperatures above 75°F, no rain, sunny weather, and humidity below 35%.
Tools & Materials Needed
What exactly does one need to get the job done? If you do this as a DIY, you may need to buy all the necessary equipment, adding to the overall cost significantly. If you get a professional, youll pay for labor and the cost of sealer.| Water Hose | $30 |
| Soap for pressure washer | $20 |
| Oil spot primer (1 quart) | $20 |
| Pressure washer | $150 |
| 40-degree pressure washer nozzle | $10 |
| Sealcoating broom | $40 |
| Mixing paddle | $20 |
| Sealcoat | Standard single coat for 1,000 sq ft: $160 |
| Total Cost: | $440 |
Labor Costs to Sealcoat Per Square Foot
The standard rate for professional help costs around $36 per hour. Since the average 500-square foot job requires 16 hours, you can expect to spend about $1,150 for a 1,000 square foot sealcoating. This means that professional labor costs around $1.15 per square foot.A moderately-priced sealcoat costs around $90 for 5 gallons, which has a maximum 500 square feet coverage capacity. When figuring the additional costs of sealant, you can expect to spend $1,330 for a single coat of sealant to 1,000 square feet of asphalt.
Size of Paved Area
The most important cost factor in sealing asphalt is the length and width of your paved area. The cost of the sealant and labor will be higher for larger surface areas.Shape of Blacktop Surface
As with all home improvement jobs, if the situation is more complicated, the job will take longer and cost more. When it comes to sealcoating, flat and uniform surfaces are going to be the easiest to treat and require less time and effort. Sloped areas are tricky to seal correctly because the solution may run down during the process. Long pathways are also more time-consuming because of their unique shape.Area Accessibility
The ease of access to the area that needs sealcoating is another factor in costs. How hard is it for the pro to access the place that needs a sealcoat? The harder it is to access, the longer the job will take, which will add on to labor costs. Surfaces that are difficult to access would be backyard areas and blacktops that are nestled in remote spaces on your property.Number of Coats
The number of coats you need depends on the type of traffic youre expecting on your asphalt. If its a basic residential driveway, one coat is enough. If its a busy parking lot, 2-3 coats should give sufficient protection.Get a Quote from an Asphalt Sealing Expert
Costs by Use - Coating Driveways, Parking Lots & More
How much do different types of surfaces cost to sealcoat?Residential Driveways
One of the most common projects, sealing a driveway is usually more affordable because it usually requires just one coat. You can also use a fast-dry sealcoat to save on costs since the traffic over your driveway wont be as demanding as a surface that handles heavy vehicle traffic. To help with calculating costs, the typical two-car driveway is 610 square feet. Youll also need to figure in the prep work and repairs, so keep these in mind when budgeting the total driveway sealing costs.Parking Lots
A parking lot is going to have considerably more traffic than a residential driveway. This means that it should require at least two coats of sealant. The size and shape of the driveway will also affect how much the job costs, as well as if it needs any repairs or stain removal before the sealcoating begins. The average parking space is 67.5 square feet which makes the typical 150-car lot around an acre. Layers of sealant must be applied individually to make sure each one dries completely. One thick layer isnt adequate and skipping the individual drying phases will produce a less durable coat. If you need a quicker turnaround, consider using fast-dry sealants.Asphalt Patios
Patios require the same steps as a driveway. First, any existing cracks or holes need to be filled in. Then, you need to clean the patio with a hose or pressure washer before applying a new sealcoat. The cost to repair a patio averages $1,315.Walkways or Pathways
Walkways or pathways only handle pedestrian and bicycle traffic; therefore, one coat should be sufficient to protect them for the duration of a sealant's warranty. They also cover less square footage, which makes this job cost far less than a residential driveway.Basketball Courts or other Sporting Surfaces
Sporting surfaces are going to need high-quality sealcoats that will create a non-slip surface for games like basketball and street hockey. There isnt any vehicle traffic so one coat should usually be enough. The square footage can be quite large, so do expect the costs to amount to more than a walkway or residential driveway.Asphalt Roofing
If you have an asphalt roof, its also important to seal it. However, the type of sealants used are different since their goals are to make your shingles resistant to extreme weather. This means youll see materials like silicone, Bitumen, and EPDM that aren't in your typical driveway sealants. The cost to seal a roof averages $800, with the typical range being $330 to $1,300.Basements & Foundations
One of the biggest menaces to basements and foundations is moisture damage. The cost of waterproofing your basement or foundation varies depending on the method you choose. One of these methods to waterproof is using a sealant to keep water from creating cracks in your home's sides and foundation. The costs will depend on the type of sealant you use, square footage of the area, and complexity of the job.Resealing Prep
Sealcoating cannot take place until cracks or crevices in your driveway or other paved area have been filled or repaired. If the material is severely cracked or damaged, the repair process will be more extensive and costly. However, you need to make these preparations before you commence any sealing. We highly recommend that a professional takes care of these repairs to maximize the life of your asphalt surface. Sometimes one sealing pro can do both, other times you need to hire two separate contractors.Crack or Chip Repairs
Any fissures, cracks, or chips must be smoothed over or filled in before you can apply any sealant. The average cost to repair asphalt paving is $1 to $4 per square foot. This makes expensive repairs cost as much as $5,500 and low-end as affordable as $300, with the national average at $2,000, which lands in the typical cost range of $900 to $3,000.Cleaning
Before sealing a surface, you must also have it free from any oil, dirt, or debris. You can most likely clean the driveway yourself, but if it's terribly dirty, oily or filled with debris, it might require a professional power washing to get it clean enough to take the sealant. The average cost of powerwashing is $280. This is a factor that should add to your costs to present a realistic expectation of what to save for the job.Warnings for New Driveways and other Asphalt Paving
Do NOT seal a new driveway! Any asphalt surface should be at least 6 months old prior to sealing. New asphalt has too much surface oil, so sealers will not properly bond. For more information, consult our cost guide to install asphalt paving.Hire a Pro to Reseal Your driveway
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
If you do the job yourself, youre going to need the right tools and knowledge. If you hire a paving pro, you need to vet your contractor by checking out customer reviews to get the right person and price. Here are the details of both options and their cost considerations.Pitfalls of a DIY job
The draw to save money and have more control over the job draws many homeowners to the prospect of DIY. However, there are a few pitfalls to consider.- Safety: Are you protecting your skin and eyes from potential hazards like fumes, sprays, etc.?
- Cleaning: Did you get rid of all oil, stains, and debris from the surface?
- Quality of Repairs: Are all cracks and fissures properly addressed before you apply the sealcoat?
- Adherence to Proper Procedure: If you aren't 100% of what to do, you probably shouldn't be doing this yourself.
DIY Costs
With DIY, the labor is free. The costs for materials per 1,000 square feet are around $440 when using a mid-range sealer. However, this number doesnt figure in fixing any cracks or applying a second coating, which can cost you another $180 in sealcoating. The average cost to patch a driveway yourself is $3 to $5 per square foot. Also, If you want to accent your driveway with some attractive driveway pavers, you can expect to pay an extra $10 to $50 per square foot.Tips & Benefits of Hiring a Sealing Professional
In the age of information, you have plenty of reviews and honest customer feedback at your disposal. Shop around for the best quotes from reputable contractors who are licensed, bonded, and insured. The right professional will get the job done correctly the first time. Theyll also bring their own materials, so you wont have to buy them and learn how to use them. When you want no room for error, hire an expert.How Often Should You Seal Asphalt?
How often you should seal your asphalt depends on where you live. If you live in an area where the weather is rarely extreme, you can get away with sealing the surface every three years. If you live in extreme heat or cold, you should seal your driveway every other year to protect it from sun or winter weather damage. You should figure the frequency of sealing a driveway when purchasing a home in an area with extreme weather.What is an Asphalt Filler Sealer and Which Product is Best?
A filler sealer does double duty: filling in cracks while sealcoating. If you're pressed for time and need to take care of cracks and seal asphalt in a timely manner, this solution can meet your needs.The best asphalt filler sealer is ultimately going to be what fits your budget and project's requirements. Here are five brands that are generally highly rated online.
- Sakrete
- Dseal
- Rust-Oleum
- E-Z Stir
- Black Jack
How Can I Maintain My Coated Blacktop?
There are simple preventative measures that you can take to care for your newly coated blacktop. Adhering to these maintenance and care guidelines will help you make the most of your investment.- Reseal the surface when required, whether its once every 3 years or every other year.
- Dont park on a newly sealed driveway or parking lot for at least two weeks. This doesnt apply to fast-dry sealers that only require a 24-hour wait.
- For the first 100 days after a fresh sealcoat, dont park on the driveway during the hottest part of the day or allow heavy trucks on the driveway.
- Dont spill gas or oil.
- Dont apply pressure to the edges of any asphalt surface since these its most vulnerable areas.
- Fix cracks asap. Here are some specifics on the costs to repair a driveway.
- Kill weeds growing through cracks
- Remove snow from your asphalt as soon as you can to prevent extreme temperature or water damage when it melts.
Can a Concrete Driveway or Patio be Sealed?
When you want a driveway or patio, asphalt isnt your only material of choice. When it comes to patios, many homeowners choose concrete, namely stamped concrete, which offers brilliant designs that can resemble stones or other natural materials.On the other hand, driveways dont need as much fanfare. The standard concrete driveway costs around $3,900 to install. Ideally, concrete should be sealed while its being set with a quality admixture to prevent cracks from even forming. However, you can still seal older concrete to prevent water from entering hairline cracks and making them worse. If you have found that your concrete driveway or patio is too expensive to repair, the national average cost to remove concrete is $960. Replacing it with asphalt and starting fresh may be the right solution for you.
Can You Seal Asphalt a Different Color?
Absolutely. You don't need to be restricted to the standard blacktop asphalt. These days, you can find this material in exciting colors like brown, white, green, brick, terracotta, and more. If you have a color in mind, shop around! You may find just the color you're looking for.Hire an asphalt Sealing Expert
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