6 Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Asphalt Driveway

Do you know which is the most used yet most overlooked area of the house in terms of maintenance? It is the driveway, of course. Especially, asphalt driveways need regular upkeep to provide a sleek surface for driving a car toward the destination.

In fact, asphalt is the most common material used for paving roads, wherein about 90% of pavements are done using asphalt surfaces, says eapa.org. Certainly, if you ignore timely upkeep, it will definitely not last longer. 

Now the question arises–how to maintain these surfaces? Taking good care of an asphalt driveway is as easy as pie; you just need to pay attention to some prevalent issues. Want to know the upkeep tips? Follow along with this article, which describes six essential tips for maintaining your asphalt driveway.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Commence the upkeep process with a mindset of regular cleaning of the driveways, initiated by sweeping debris and mild washing.
• Growing grass might be a sign of a disrupted surface, so immediately seal that area using a durable material.
• Bigger cracks need to be measured and filled with cold process asphalt again and again to make the surface even.
• Always avoid heavy-load vehicles, as they may create surface structural damage.
• To block waterlogging situations, it is important to install a proper drainage system that directs water away from the surface.
• Either manually clean the harmful oil and chemical stains or call a professional to help.

1. Clean Regularly

The first step towards a durable driveway commences with a proactive approach, which prominently involves regularly cleaning your driveway. Just begin by sweeping away loose debris, then use a soap solution or laundry detergent to remove stubborn stains of oil or grease. 

Afterward, clean with a brush and finally rinse off any remaining dirt. Besides that, one can also book a pressure washing service once in a while for heavily soiled areas.

2. Seal the Surface

Did you see any grass on the pavement? Be practical now; even deep cleaning alone is of no use if the surface has already started developing cracks. So, what can work? Sealing an asphalt driveway, commonly referred to as “blacktop” or “hot top.”  

Here are the steps:

• Step 1: First, prep the area by cleaning it.
• Step 2: Fill the cracks using a durable patching compound and let it dry completely.
• Step 3: Afterward, apply asphalt driveway sealant and overlap coats as guided in the manual.

After complete drying, the surface is ready to serve. If you want to skip this DIY procedure, the Columbus OH asphalt paving services may help you out.

PRO TIP
The ideal temperature for seal coating the surface is between 50 °F (ca. 10 °C) and 85 °F (ca. 29 °C).

3. Fill Cracks Quickly

Small cracks can be sealed easily, while the bigger ones require deeper pavement. It is better to always be quick and fill the small gaps before they become a giant pit hole. Now, instead of a regular sealant, use a cold-process asphalt repair compound to patch the crack. 

Following that, thoroughly compact the compound with a wooden post. You may need to layer more asphalt compound after tamping to perfectly level the driveway. Along with this, neither seal the air passage nor use the pathway; simply allow it to completely harden.

4. Avoid Heavy Loads

Your home’s asphalt driveways are built to handle daily use of private vehicle traffic, and violently using them for driving heavy vehicles leads to consequences. 

What are the potential impacts?

• Structural damage, like ruts and cracks.
• Pavement fatigue makes asphalt lose flexibility.
• Parking a heavy and a lightweight vehicle in the same spot leads to an uneven surface.

To maintain an even surface, avoid parking heavy vehicles there, or set up a wooden top to provide external support the the pavement.

5. Keep Water Moving

Standing water is directly damaging to the asphalt flooring. Find out how. The longer water sits on the surface, the more it softens the material, leading to depressions and even potholes. What can one do? Create a proper drainage system to block water from settling on the surface. 

Additionally, see how water, along with other factors, causes destruction and, unfortunately, disrupts lifespan and installation cost. Here is the infographic attached.

INTERESTING FACT : Here are some interesting facts about asphalt driveways. 

6. Remove Oil and Chemical Spills

Firstly, try to mitigate the exposure to substances like chemicals or gasoline oil, because these are more destructive to the asphalt path. 

To get rid of the dirt, implement these tips:

• Must wear gloves and eye protection for self-safety first.
• For fresh spills, use a baking soda solution, slightly scrub, and then rinse off the dirty water.
• Use a commercial degreasing product to remove extremely stubborn old stains. 

You can also consider layering a durable driveway mat to avoid those stains from getting in contact with unwanted oil and chemical spills.

Keep Your Driveway Smooth, Strong, and Ready for Every Step

A driveway is also a part of the home that should be well-maintained, particularly, the one made with asphalt material. Homeowners just need a combination of regular cleaning, preventive measures, and timely repair work. These practices will help them prevent potential damage, ultimately giving them a smooth and strong driveway experience.

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