Spray or Squeegee?

The answer to which application process is better, spray or squeegee is -  it depends. There are reputable companies that use both processes or one or the other, but the condition of the asphalt should play a part in the decision. Up near the house and next to sidewalks, an edging brush should be used to avoid over-spray. The larger open areas are where the applicator has to make a decision on which process to use.

Over-sealed surfaces can benefit from a spray application - the applicator can leave a thicker coat than with a squeegee. When using a squeegee on a smooth surface with very few voids to accept the sealer, the squeegee leaves very little sealer. The right spray technique can leave a better coat of sealer.

Porous surfaces will always cover well when sealer is hand applied, but can suffer if too light a coat is applied by spray. With spraying there are more variables that come into play, spray tip size and spray wand speed determine how thick the sealer goes on. 

Professional sealcoaters can achieve great results with both processes. Hire a reputable contractor and trust them to use the process that works best for your driveway.

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Will Snow Plowing Damage My Asphalt?

Anything that scrapes your driveway or parking lot can damage it. Most of the snow plow damage I've seen on asphalt is minor and doesn't need structural repair. Many scrapes and scratches look worse than they really are. The sealer can be scraped off leaving unsealed aggregate, a sealcoat application in the spring should take care of the issue. Deeper scratches can be filled with crack-filler prior to the sealer application. If the gouges are deeper than 1" and the asphalt is loose, additional repairs may be necessary. The Infrared process can be used to heat the area and work asphalt back into the surface.

Some snow removal companies use a rubber or polyurethane cutting edge on their plow blades to lessen the impact on your driveway, while others set the plow blade 1/2" above the surface to avoid damage. Both of these options can leave excess snow on the asphalt. Flat surfaces usually don't see any damage, it's uneven surfaces with high areas or sudden grade changes that are most susceptible to winter plow damage.

Keep in mind that if you are looking for a very clean surface, there is a chance your asphalt may be damaged. Unless the damage is severe, ask your sealcoating contractor to address the areas in the spring and chalk it up to Mother Nature.