Sealcoating a driveway or parking lot is not only one of the most important steps a property manager can take to maintain it and prolong its lifespan, it’s also an investment that can add value and curb appeal to the property. An attractive, dark coat of sealer will only look professional, though, when the entire surface is sealed evenly and neatly—including its edges.
Driveway sealcoating or a parking lot is fairly simple to do and doesn’t require much practice, but where some property managers have a bit more difficulty is the edges. That’s because the fan of sealer coming from the sealcoat system can be a bit difficult to contain as you approach surfaces you don’t want to spray, such as curbs, lawns, walls and other features of the property. Even using a more precise spray tip isn't enough to eliminate overspray.
The majority of your asphalt surface could look clean and even, but if your curbs and doors have black sealer splattered on them, for example, your customers and visitors will be left with a poor impression. On top of that, cleaning off those accidental splotches can be difficult and take up even more of you and your team’s valuable time. The best way to avoid this result is to make the right preparations and use the right tools.
Preparation
As with any maintenance project, the first step is to make sure the area you’re working on is well prepared. Clearing off the surface of debris and vegetation is standard for the asphalt surface, but many overlook ensuring the edges of the asphalt are also cleared. Be sure to go over this area with a brush or blower, especially where asphalt meets a curb, as debris and vegetation will commonly accumulate there. Once they’re clear, you’re ready to move on to sealcoating the edge, which can be done one of two ways:
1. The Old-Fashioned Way
Sealcoating edges while protecting other areas from the stream can be accomplished without purchasing additional accessories for your machine. Doing so simply requires a wooden board or piece of cardboard held strategically where the asphalt meets the surface you don’t want to spray, shielding it from the stream. This board should be held by a second person, following alongside the person spraying the sealer, to ensure the best protection.
This methodology's precision demands more time and an additional person who could otherwise be spending their time doing other tasks. Despite this, it still commonly yields sloppy results, as all it takes is one slip-up for the sealer to spray an unintended surface.
2. The Modern Way
Because of the disadvantages associated with sealcoating edges with a simple board, most professional sealcoaters prefer to use sealcoating equipment accessories specifically engineered to reliably protect non-asphalt surfaces. One of the best attachments is the Wand Wizard Edger. With a lightweight design and simple attachment mechanism, it can help virtually any spray system seal cleanly around edges, in just seconds.
No boards. No extra people. Just perfect edges, every time.
You can learn more about the Wand Wizard Edger by visiting our online store.
Wand Wizard Edger For Sealcoating
Lightweight, easy to maneuver sealcoating edger for trimming driveways.
