How to Maintain Your Asphalt Driveway

While asphalt is a durable material, there are some asphalt driveway maintenance steps you should take to protect and extend the life of your investment. Below, we’ll discuss the importance of asphalt driveway maintenance and provide a list of several things you can do to ensure your asphalt driveway lasts as long as possible.

Continue reading below to find out more, and make McConnell & Associates your first call when you need professional asphalt maintenance and paving services.

The Importance of Asphalt Driveway Maintenance

Due to its durability and ease of maintenance, asphalt is a popular material choice for driveways. However, your asphalt driveway can quickly become faded, cracked, or pothole-ridden if not correctly maintained.

Issues with your asphalt driveway can occur for various reasons but are most often due to cracking, corrosion, puddle formation, and surface depression. Moisture degrades pavement more quickly than any other natural factor. Water can penetrate your driveway pavement through cracks, eventually destroying the base and causing potholes. When the water freezes and thaws in repeated cycles, it expands the cracks and worsens the damage.

You must be willing to put in the effort required to maintain your driveway to improve its visual appearance, preserve its integrity, and protect your investment.

5 Asphalt Driveway Maintenance Tips

If you’re looking to ensure your asphalt driveway remains aesthetically pleasing and functional for many years to come, here are several tips you can implement that will help you protect your investment:

1. Routine Driveway Inspection

Inspecting your driveway throughout the year, especially during the winter and summer, will ensure you address minor flaws and repairs before they become susceptible to further damage. Minor damage that goes unnoticed can quickly escalate into a significant financial headache, so spend a few minutes each month inspecting your driveway for potential issues.

2. Repair Cracks

Although asphalt driveways are tough and long-lasting, they can be damaged over time. Natural seasonal elements, such as heavy rains and hail, as well as bulky items blown over in the wind, can cause cracks in the surface.

Cracks and holes in driveways are common, especially if maintenance has been neglected. However, as you pay more attention to your driveway, you will need to fill cracks to prevent them from expanding. Note where each hairline fracture occurs during your visual inspection, and fill cracks to prevent them from expanding.

If the cracks are beyond your repair capabilities, seek assistance from an asphalt maintenance service as soon as possible to have the cracks professionally repaired.

3. Remove Stains

close up of oil stain on asphalt drivewayIf you have gasoline or oil spills on your driveway, these substances will dissolve the surface of your asphalt driveway and deteriorate the asphalt over time.

If leaking or spills occur and they have become embedded in your asphalt driveway, it is best to scrub them away with a hand brush and specially designated cleaner to minimize damage. However, avoid using a petroleum solvent solution, as this will damage the asphalt.

4. Drain Standing Water

Standing water is dangerous to the structural integrity of your asphalt driveway. Standing water, if left untreated, can quickly form cracks and potholes, exponentially contributing to additional damage.

The health of your driveway is dependent on proper drainage. As a result, be sure to have a solid drainage plan as part of your installation process to prevent standing water from causing havoc.

Grading the driveway away from home prevents low spots and water from pooling at the driveway’s edges. Additionally, good sub-drainage will help to preserve the quality of your asphalt by preventing the foundation of your driveway from shifting or sinking.

5. Apply Sealcoating

Sealcoating is a vital process in asphalt driveway maintenance. Furthermore, because driveways in seasonal climates are susceptible to rain, snow, freeze-thaw cycles, and the scorching sun, sealcoating can slow the deterioration process, ensuring that your asphalt will last as long as possible.

The frequency with which you must sealcoat your driveway will be determined by where you live and the climate your asphalt must endure. Typically, sealcoating should be done every two to five years. However, if your driveway is subjected to extreme stress, such as heavy traffic or severe weather, you may need to sealcoat it more frequently.

Call the Asphalt Driveway Maintenance Experts at McConnell & Associates

Your driveway is one of the first things people notice about your home or business. Taking the time to care for and maintain your driveway can ensure your asphalt driveway remains structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing for many years to come. Following these asphalt driveway maintenance tips can keep it looking its best.

McConnell & Associates has provided our Midwest customers with professional asphalt maintenance and paving service since 1965. Our team of asphalt maintenance specialists remains dedicated to providing the best asphalt paving and maintenance services to ensure driveways across the Midwest continue looking their best.

If your asphalt driveway is showing signs of needing repair, contact the asphalt maintenance professionals at McConnell & Associates to learn more about how our team of specialists can assist you.

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