Many homeowners throughout the U.S. choose asphalt paving when having a driveway installed, and while this is indeed a great choice thanks to the durability, longevity, and clean finish of the material, it is important to maintain it regularly in order for it to continue looking and performing at its best, for the foreseeable future.
Should you fail to maintain your asphalt paving driveway on a regular basis, you risk it deteriorating and becoming so damaged that it needs replacing. Fortunately, maintaining it isn’t particularly difficult, expensive or time consuming, and here are a few ways to keep your asphalt driveway in pristine condition:
Brush and wash the driveway to remove stains and debris
While asphalt is a hardy material, if debris and other materials, such as leaves and oil, are allowed to accumulate on the surface over time, the integrity of the asphalt may be compromised. Once this happens, breaking or cracking can easily occur if pressure is applied to the driveway, as the asphalt slowly starts to lose both its strength and hardiness.
To stop this from happening to your driveway, simply brush and wash it on a regular basis, and more often if there is a bigger accumulation of debris. Doing this will not only help prolong the life of the asphalt, but will keep your driveway looking fresh and functional, too.
Clear snow from the driveway
While constant exposure to the heat from the sun can cause asphalt to become discolored over time, the heat is nowhere near as damaging to it as cold conditions are. When an asphalt driveway is exposed to snow, and that snow melts as it thaws, it penetrates the surface as water. Then, when the temperature drops and the water in the asphalt freezes into ice, it tries to expand, applying pressure to the asphalt, and causing it to crack. Unfortunately, once asphalt starts to crack due to the freeze/thaw cycle during the winter months, it is hard to save and a new driveway may have to be installed.
To help protect your driveway from cracking during cold weather, try to clear any snow sitting on its surface, as quickly and often as possible.
You can also have your paving contractor apply a protective layer of sealcoating to the driveway once installed, to help protect it from the harmful rays of the sun, water penetration and oil spillages, for example. Helping your driveway to live for longer, not crack, and look better for longer, sealcoating should be applied every two to three years, or at your paving contractors recommendation.
Ensure proper drainage
Any water left to pool on the surface of your asphalt driveway can weaken it over time, and when left untreated, can lead to cracking, potholes and a whole host of other problems. Make sure that no rainwater is left standing on your driveway following a storm, and if it is, consult with a paving contractor at the earliest so that they can help you remedy the problem through installing a drainage solution, or improving the slope of the driveway.
Your asphalt driveway is absolutely worth protecting and preserving, and by following the simple tips above, you can keep it in pristine condition, for longer. From brushing and washing to sealcoating, your asphalt driveway deserves to live as long and full a life as you do!