Your asphalt driveway not only makes your house look nicer, but it also gives you a place to park your car. Regular care is a must if you want it to last and look nice for a long time. In this full guide, we'll give you expert advice and step-by-step steps on how to keep your asphalt driveway in good shape.
Why it's Important to Maintain an Asphalt Driveway
Your asphalt driveway will last much longer if you take care of it regularly. If you don't do upkeep, cracks, potholes, and other damage can happen over time. By putting in a little time and effort, you can keep your driveway in great shape and avoid expensive repairs.
Tips for Keeping an Asphalt Driveway in Good Shape
Cleaning and Getting Rid of Debris: Sweeping your driveway regularly or using a leaf rake to get rid of leaves, dirt, and other debris keeps them from breaking down the surface. Use a mild detergent and a stiff brush to clean up spots that won't come out.
Regular Checks: Look at your driveway every few months to see if anything looks wrong. Look for cracks, holes, or places where there is a lot of wear and tear. When problems are found early, they can be fixed quickly and don't get worse.
Cracks and potholes can worsen over time and cause more damage if not fixed. Fill small cracks with asphalt crack filler or another suitable patching compound. Larger potholes might need help from a professional, so talk to someone who knows how to fix driveways to find out what to do.
Sealing the Driveway: Putting a finish on the driveway every few years protects it from water, UV rays, and other things. Make sure your driveway is clean and dry before you have it seal coated. Use a reputable company to apply the asphalt sealer that will follow the directions given by the manufacturer.
How to stop water damage: Water is one of the main causes asphalt road damage. Make sure water flows away from your road so it doesn't pool. Use a broom or a squeegee to remove water puddles after it rains. Protecting the edges from erosion is one of the essential steps of asphalt maintenance. Be sure to support your edges with gravel or other material to stop erosion when you see it happening
Keeping plants from growing: Plants can grow through cracks and speed up the deterioration of an Asphalt Driveway. Check the sides of your driveway often and pull out any weeds or grass growing in the cracks. Use a pesticide or a natural way to kill weeds to stop them from returning.
Questions Often Asked (FAQs)
How often should my asphalt driveway be cleaned?
If your driveway is made of asphalt, you should clean it at least twice a year or as needed. Sweeping or blowing away leaves and other waste on a regular basis helps keep its look and keep the surface from breaking down. Make sure to promptly remove any rocks from the surface.
What should I do if my driveway has cracks?
Almost all Asphalt will develop some form of cracking. Asphalt crack filler or a patching product can be used to fix small cracks. Larger cracks may need to be fixed by a professional. When cracks are fixed quickly, they don't get bigger and cause more damage.
Is it okay to use a pressure washer on asphalt driveways?
Power washing can be a good way to clean asphalt driveway , but you should be careful. Use low pressure and a wide-angle spray tip to keep the asphalt surface from getting damaged. Don't point the nozzle of the power washer straight at cracks or joints.
How long does the asphalt sealcoat take to dry?
The time it takes for asphalt sealer to dry depends on things like temperature, humidity, and the type of sealer that was used. Most of the time, the sealer needs anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. During this time, it's best not to drive or walk on the newly sealed driveway so it can cure properly.
Taking care of your asphalt driveway is important if you want it to last, look nice, and protect your investment. By using these tips from experts, you can make sure your driveway stays in great shape for years to come. Small problems can turn into big ones if they aren't cleaned, checked, and fixed when they need to be.
Sealing your driveway every few years will keep it safe from the weather and prevent water damage. Take care of the growth of plants by getting rid of grass right away. By doing these things to maintain your asphalt driveway, you can keep it looking great and avoid expensive repairs in the future.
Don't forget to set up proper drainage and clean regularly to keep water from pooling and trash from building up. Check your driveway regularly for cracks, holes, and other signs of wear and tear. If you fix any problems right away, your asphalt driveway will last longer and look better.
Taking care of your asphalt doesn't have to be hard. The more on top of the issues you are the less money you will have to pay for maintenance in the long run. If you need asphalt maintenance and live in the San Antonio, Tx. area Give Luke's Asphalt Paving in Spring Branch, Texas a Call us at 830-438-4030