f.a.q.

Q: What is sealcoating?
A: Sealcoating is a preventative maintenance measure that helps protect your driveway from deterioration that may be a result of many circumstances including weather, gasoline spills, oil leaks, alkaline, ice-melt/salt, the sun's rays and oxidation. Sealcoating refers to the process of working a protective layer of rubberized latex into your asphalt in order to better safeguard the asphalt from these elements and prolong your investment. The sealer will also increase the aesthetic appearance of your driveway and property.

Q: Why Apply Sealer By Hand Instead of Spray?
A: We apply the sealer by hand with a tightly bristled brush in order to work the sealer into the porous asphalt. This better protects the asphalt by allowing the latex to seep into the holes and cracks. Spraying your driveway with sealer is not advised. Spraying is like painting your driveway with sealer. It rests on top of the asphalt creating a slick layer of latex that is more likely to develop spider cracks. Spraying does not work the sealer into the asphalt at all and while the driveway may look sealed, it actually offers very little protection.

Q: How much will it cost?
A: The cost for our service is based on a combination of two things: Square Footage and Current Driveway Conditions. We will come out and evaluate your driveway and discuss the cost based on your conditions.

Q: What Happens if it Rains?
A: We will try our best to seal your driveway when rain is not expected but sometimes the weather is beyond our control. In the summer months, our product will not splash after about an hour of sun exposure. We have never had a single driveway washed out. In the case that this does happen we will perform the service again at no charge.

Q: Why Action Pave Products?
A: We will use only the top of the line Action Pave product. It is a latex based sealant that contains silica sand for traction. There are other options out there but I would not put anything down on your driveway that I would not put down on my own driveway. Oil based products leave your driveway slick and unsafe and the oil actually corrodes the driveway surface over time.

Q: How often does it need to be done?
A: We recommend that you seal your driveway roughly every 2-3 years depending on the wear your asphalt exhibits. This will provide adequate protection and it avoids the "glassy" appearance that results from over-sealing. We will keep track of the year in which your driveway was last sealed and notify you as to when you may want to consider sealing it again.

Q: What types of asphalt damage can be fixed?
A: When evaluating how damaged your driveway is please keep in mind some simple pointers:

· Spider cracks (thin splits in the driveway surface that look like a spider web) are normal and can be caused by any number of occurrences including shifting, settling, ants, snow blowers, and snowplows. These cracks will be repaired temporarily but they will likely reappear after one winter. They do not seriously threaten the integrity of your driveway.

· Deep holes, ½ - ¾ inch wide cracks and frost heaves are not normal and may cause erosion and structural damage that will compromise the integrity of your driveway. TKM Sealcoating will fix these problems though they will have to be tended to on a regular basis to keep the problem from becoming worse.

Q: Can I Do It Myself?
A: Of course you can. I am a do it myself person when it comes to my house too. However, business aside, this is a job that you would be better off contracting out to TKM Sealcoating, Inc., a few reasons:

1. It's Worth It! -- You will not spend significantly more money by contracting it out to TKM Sealcoating, Inc. After you are done buying materials and supplies and ruin a pair of shoes you will have spent roughly 75% of the cost our company will quote you.

2 . It Can Get Hot and Dirty! -- If done correctly, sealcoating is brutal work (at best!). This job is properly performed on a hot summer day and it involves carrying heavy buckets and a good amount of physical labor to clean the driveway and work the sealer in properly. Any one person can slop the sealer down and push it. But this is not the appropriate approach. To do it correctly is not easy work for the light at heart.