After you have laid down an asphalt driveway, you will need to take care of it throughout the year. When summer comes around, your asphalt driveway will fare better than it does during the winter. However, there are still steps you should take to make sure that your asphalt driveway remains in good condition during the summer.
Give Your Driveway Time
If you have recently had your asphalt driveway installed, give it plenty of time to harden. A common mistake is to use place lawn chairs on the driveway. These can scrape the driveway and ruin the final result. Instead, it is important to keep off of your newly paved asphalt driveway until it has had time to cure. Also, keep all furniture off the asphalt driveway when the weather is hot or it can sink into the driveway and create holes.
Sealcoat Your Driveway
Asphalt driveways should always receive a sealcoat to protect it from the sun and rain. Otherwise, your asphalt driveway will deteriorate gradually and will eventually fail. Sealcoating is much cheaper than the cost of replacing your driveway.
Cleanup Spills
During the summer, your asphalt driveway is more vulnerable to chemicals that have been spilled on the driveway when the sun is beating overhead. Transmission fluid, oil, and antifreeze can be more destructive to your driveway during the summer and should be cleaned up as quickly as possible. Also, make sure to sweep your driveway regularly to keep it in good condition.
Edge Your Driveway
Keep grass from growing too close to the driveway because it can lead to the deterioration of your asphalt driveway. Use a weed eater to trim the edge of your driveway. This will also make your driveway more visually appealing. Most problems for an asphalt driveway begin at the edge of the driveway.
Repair Cracks and Holes
When you discover any cracks or holes, call asphalt paving contractors to repair them as soon as possible. The longer that cracks and holes remain present, the more that they will grow. Summer is also the best time to repair cracks and holes because it will be warmer and dryer. It's also more expensive to have your driveway repaired during the winter.
To make sure that you don't get behind on your asphalt driveway maintenance, create a set schedule for each maintenance task that you must perform. Write these down on a calendar so that you'll remember to complete these tasks when the time comes.
Most people do not think twice as they drive over a nice, smooth paved road or park on a flat, well-paved driveway. But there is a lot of work that goes into creating smooth, strong paved surfaces. Paving contractors need to lay out a driveway or parking lot properly to ensure good drainage. They also need to formulate the pavement material properly for the given climate and conditions. As you start reading the articles on this website, you will gain more insight into the life and work of paving contractors. The next time you pull into a parking lot, you will definitely find yourself thinking about what lies underneath your tires.