While the sweltering

summer days might make activities from jogging to lawn mowing to even

poolside lounging unbearable, the roasting temperatures are ideal for

tackling driveway maintenance and repair.

Blacktop is

naturally porous and if water seeps into the paving, it can breakdown,

forming ridges and cracks. Blacktop also is softened by gas, oil, salt

and antifreeze and sealers protect it by blocking those harmful elements.

So, well before winter arrives, consider sealing your asphalt driveway.

Here are a few tips to get started.

* Before you

begin maintaining your driveway, survey the entire surface area, identifying

any cracks that need to be filled. Clear the surface of any grass or weeds

that are overtaking the driveway or causing cracks. While driveway repairs

and sealing typically take place during warmer months, it's best to fix

cracks when they are first noticed.

* Scrub the

entire driveway with a diluted driveway cleaner to remove dirt and oil.

Cleaning the driveway thoroughly will allow crack filler, compound and

driveway sealer to adhere more successfully. Home owners might want to

first try adsorbing any extra gas or oil by sprinkling kitty litter on

the spots prior to cleaning. For persistent spots, use an oil spot primer

to seal what is left, before moving forward with the maintenance.

* Hose the

driveway using the maximum pressure settinga pressure washer might be

worth renting, especially if you have other exterior tasks to complete,

such as deck cleaning.

* For cracks

up to 1/2 inch, use crack filler made for a caulking gun or that comes

in a squeeze bottle. Smooth out the filler, after it's applied, making

sure it does not end up on the driveway surface.

* Remove loose

material from the edges of potholes and larger cracks. Try using a wire

brush or coax the material loose with a few strong hose blasts. Shovel

packaged blacktop into potholes or wide cracks once they've been thoroughly

cleaned and are dry. Then use an iron rake to level the large sections.

Next, compact the material by using a heavy board, adding more material

until the hole is just overfilled. Place scrap plywood over the repair

work and drive a car over it several times to compact it further.

* Allow repairs

to cure for about a month before applying any sealer.

* Before applying

sealer, make sure it is mixed well and give it a few stirs during the

process. Cover or protect areas adjoining the driveway and then mist with

water. Pour a one-foot wide ribbon of sealer across the driveway and push

and pull the sealer with the squeegee side of the applicator to spread

it until it is roughly three feet wide. Then, use a brush to pull the

sealer toward you, using enough pressure to any excess. Repeat the process,

beginning with a one-foot wide section each time.

* Two thin

coats of sealer are recommended to one thick coat. Allow 12 hours between

coats and block the driveway from traffic for 24-to-36 hours.

In general,

seal a driveway every two-to-three years, but not sooner than 45 days

after it's been paved. Make sure the temperature outside is at least 50

degrees for 24 hours and that the weather forecast doesn't call for rain.

One other note:

do-it-yourself driveway sealing products are heavily diluted, helping

keep home owners safe from chemical flash burns. While safer for amateur

driveway sealers, it means the products will not last as long as those

used by professionals.

Remember, even

though the temperatures are sizzling, always wear protective clothing,

gloves, footwear and eyewear when sealing a driveway.

(Chad Floyd,

who is with Chadwick Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association

of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 550 builders

and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether

counties.)

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