The Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring the Right Driveway Sealing Contractor
HOW TO SPOT A SUB-STANDARD CONTRACTOR
Protecting your driveway is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. Proper sealcoating extends your asphalt’s lifespan, enhances curb appeal, and prevents costly repairs—but only when done by a qualified, professional contractor. This guide will help you spot substandard contractors, avoid scams, and confidently hire the right team for the job.
Even if a contractor isn’t running a scam, some provide work that can compromise your driveway’s lifespan and appearance. Watch for these warning signs:
Shiny Sealants
A glossy finish may look appealing, but it usually signals a lower-quality product. Glossy sealants are slippery when wet, posing a safety hazard, and tend to wear faster than commercial-grade sealants.
Poor Preparation
Skipping essential steps like cleaning, crack filling, or surface repairs reduces adhesion and shortens the life of the sealcoat.
Improper Equipment
Substandard contractors often use tools meant for DIY jobs — like brooms, watering cans, handheld buckets, paint rollers, garden sprayers, or small squeegees — which lead to thin, uneven coverage and premature wear. They don’t offer application options needed for larger driveways like sprayers or large squeegees and edging to keep the property tidy.
No Site Visit or Images Required
A reputable contractor evaluates your driveway before quoting. They should advise whether sealing is appropriate or if repairs or reconstruction are necessary first. Quick, “flat-rate” quotes without assessment are a red flag.
No Written Estimate, Contract or Insurance
Written agreements protect both parties. Substandard contractors often avoid contracts, leaving you vulnerable if the work isn’t done correctly.
Poor Online Presence & Reviews
If you can’t find reviews or a website, it’s hard to verify experience or quality. Established contractors with a history of satisfied customers are far safer to hire. Check their Google Reviews!
QUESTIONS TO ASK A CONTRACTOR
& THE ANSWERS TO LOOK FOR
❌ Retail-grade products from big-box stores
❌ Oil-based sealers
❌ Shiny or glossy sealers
❌ Diluted sealers with solids under 40%
❌ Coal-tar sealers (illegal in Ontario)
✔️ Asphalt emulsion sealers with a solid content over 40%, manufactured at a professional sealcoat plant
✔️ Bonus: Proprietary commercial-grade sealants for extra durability
❌ Vague answers or uncertainty about lifespan.
❌ 1-2 Years
✔️ Asphalt emulsion sealers with a solid content over 40%, manufactured at a professional sealcoat plant
✔️ 3-4 Years or more.
❌ No mention of cleaning or crack filling.
✔️ Proper cleaning, crack repairs, and surface prep for full adhesion and longevity.
❌ Just a broom for preparation
❌ Watering cans or buckets
❌ Paint rollers
❌ Garden hose
❌ Small squeegees
❌ Caulking gun for cracks
✔️ Gas powered blowers for preparation
✔️ Large squeegees
✔️ Commercial-grade spray systems
✔️ Sprayer wands or ride-on spray machine for larger estate properties
✔️ Crack sealing kettle for hot rubberized crack sealant application
❌ Doesn’t require pictures or site-visit, uses a flat-rate system without inspection.
✔️ Yes, to measure your driveway and evaluate whether sealcoating is your best option.
❌ Sealing on a wet driveway or right before rain
❌ Ignoring temperature or weather conditions
✔️ Scheduling around weather to ensure proper curing and adhesion and advises low temperatures be a minimum of 10°C.
❌ No references, photos, or examples of large driveways
✔️ References, testimonials, and photos of similar projects you can verify
❌ Short-lived companies or new contractors with no proven experience
✔️ Established contractors with a history of successful projects
❌ No proof of license or insurance
✔️ Fully licensed and insured to protect you in case of accidents or property damage
SURE-SEAL PAVEMENT CHECKS THE BOXES
We follow all the best practices when it comes to taking care of your asphalt surface so you can feel confident when choosing us as your contractor. At Sure-Seal Pavement, we…