An asphalt driveway can be a wonderful addition to a home but they can easily fall into disrepair without proper maintenance. Erosion, gasoline or chemical spills, and cracks are the most common concerns. Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your asphalt driveway looks just as good as the day it was laid down. Let’s take a look at three of them.
1- Add Sealant
Driveways, like most things outside, are susceptible to the elements, like rain or snowfall, extreme temperatures, and more. This disrupts the molecules that hold the asphalt together by reducing the tensile cohesion, which makes it more vulnerable to cracks, potholes, and fissures, among other things.
The easiest solution is to put a layer of sealant over the driveway every few years to protect the surface. It’ll also give it that beautiful black finish that looks so good! Just remember to put primer over any stains first, use a mop to spread the sealant over the driveway, and throw away your clothes and gloves afterward as the sealant isn’t going to come out.
2- Check the Drainage System
Asphalt driveways tend to accumulate standing water, generally from rain or snowfall. This water can break through the surface and cause the asphalt to erode which will then cause potholes, cracks, or other issues. Having a drainage system, either one you create yourself or one installed by a professional, can make sure the water rolls off harmlessly and doesn’t wear down the asphalt over time.
It doesn’t have to be a very complex or time-consuming addition, as long as it’s designed to move the water into the street, the grass, or anywhere other than the driveway itself. Naturally, this will be easier if the driveway is at an angle instead of flat, although it is possible to create a system for level driveways without expensive or ugly modifications.
3- Don’t Wait to Fix Problems
You’ll want to take care of any potential problems as soon as they come up as they’re not likely to get better with age. Just like spilling something on a carpet in your living room, you’ll want to make sure everything gets cleaned up right away before the situation gets worse. The longer you wait to fix a problem, the worse the problem will get.
If you notice a crack in the asphalt, it’s very important to seal the asphalt up as soon as possible. Weeds, grass, and other vegetation can grow through the cracks, resulting in excessive moisture being introduced into the asphalt.
Oil, gas, and other spills should also be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent stains, chemicals, and moisture from seeping through the asphalt and destroying its structural integrity.
Taking care of an asphalt driveway can be an expensive and painful task but with the right strategies, it doesn’t have to be. By following these three simple maintenance tips, you can make sure that you’ll be able to park your vehicle on a beautiful blacktop driveway for many years to come.