Garfield Ridge is bungalow belt territory. High homeownership, long driveways, and pride of ownership. The asphalt driveways here take the same Chicago beating as everywhere else. Road salt in winter, freeze-thaw cycles that open cracks, and UV oxidation that turns the surface gray and brittle. An unsealed driveway in this climate starts crumbling within 5 years.
We start by pressure washing the driveway. We need a clean surface or the sealer won't bond. We remove oil stains with a degreaser. If you have cracks over 1/4 inch, we fill them with hot rubberized crack filler before sealing. Sealer over an open crack is a waste. It washes out in the first rain.
Then we apply two coats of commercial-grade asphalt sealer by squeegee, not spray. Squeegee application forces the sealer into the pores of the asphalt. Spraying lays it on top. It looks good for a month, then it wears off. Squeegee goes deeper and lasts longer. Two coats, not one. One coat is a shortcut.
The driveway needs 24 to 48 hours of dry weather to cure. We watch the forecast and schedule around it. We don't seal before rain and waste your money. We set up traffic cones and tape to mark the area. Foot traffic is fine after 12 hours. Vehicles need to stay off for 24 to 48 hours.
Garfield Ridge also has a lot of concrete driveways, not just asphalt. Concrete uses a different sealing product, a silane-siloxane penetrating sealer, not asphalt sealer. We handle both. Tell us your surface and we bring the right material. If you're not sure, we'll test it on the estimate.
One thing we won't do: seal a driveway that needs to be replaced. If your driveway has alligator cracking, those interconnected spider-web cracks, sealing won't fix it. That's structural failure in the base layer. You need a tear-out and repour. We'll tell you that on the estimate. We won't take your money to seal a driveway that needs to be replaced.
A typical Garfield Ridge driveway sealing runs $250 to $400 for a standard 2-car asphalt driveway. Crack filling is included. We also offer snow removal contracts for Garfield Ridge homeowners, and we can bundle sealing and snow into one seasonal package. One call, both handled.
Garfield Ridge is 18 minutes from our shop. Call us and we'll come measure the driveway and give you a written quote.
Garfield Ridge is about 18 minutes from our shop in Bridgeport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I seal my driveway in Garfield Ridge?
Every 2 to 3 years. Chicago's freeze-thaw and road salt accelerate asphalt breakdown. We'll tell you when it's actually due. Sealing too often causes buildup and flaking.
Do you seal concrete driveways too?
Yes. Concrete uses a different product, a silane-siloxane penetrating sealer, not asphalt sealer. We handle both. If you're not sure what surface you have, we'll test it on the estimate.
My driveway has spider-web cracks. Can you seal it?
If you have alligator cracking, sealing won't fix it. That's structural failure in the base layer. You need a tear-out and repour. We'll tell you that honestly. We won't take your money to seal a driveway that needs replacement.