Keep your asphalt driveway in tip-top shape in every season!
Whether new or old, your asphalt driveway needs regular maintenance to keep it in the best shape possible. This maintenance is well worth it and easier to do than you think; properly taking care of your asphalt driveway will ensure it lasts for many years to come. The ways you can lengthen your driveway’s life can be seen below; check out these helpful asphalt driveway maintenance tips!
The First 100 Days
If you have a brand new asphalt driveway, you will need to take extra care of it. It is during the first hundred days that it is in the curing process, the time when it is still settling and hardening into a durable, long-lasting material. The first fourteen days are even more critical; one should avoid driving and parking on it until it has fully hardened.
Checking for Cracks
Asphalt consists of gravel and a petroleum substance that holds the stones together. This material expands and contracts with the weather, and eventually, cracks form due to this stretching and the deterioration of the petroleum binder over time. One should check for asphalt cracks in the summer and the winter and seal them as soon as possible.
Preventing Spills
In everyday use, one should do one’s best to avoid getting oil, grease, or vehicle fluid spills on the asphalt. These fluids can leave permanent stains on the driveway that will prove unsightly and undesirable. One should clean it up as soon as possible; either a homemade or commercial solution will work.
Avoiding Harsh Chemicals
During the winter, you will likely want to use some form of de-icer to prevent ice and snow from covering your driveway, turning it into a dangerous slip-n-slide. Some de-icers are too harsh for asphalt and will contribute to its erosion. It is recommended to use rock salt or potassium chloride.
Sealing the Driveway
While everyday care and semi-annual check-ups and repairs are two necessary asphalt maintenance tasks, sealing the driveway is the third step. Asphalt is a porous material and needs a coating to protect it year-round against the elements of spills, chemicals, rain, dirt, and other debris.
Do you need a new asphalt driveway installation or repairs? Contact Edward’s Lawn & Home!
Choose Edward’s Lawn & Home
For the past thirteen years, Edwards Lawn and Home has been offering premier residential and commercial services to improve your property all year long. The options are endless from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Houzz.