Tips for Maintaining Your New Asphalt

Your driveway offers the first impression of your home. Maintaining your new asphalt is essential to uphold its curb appeal. Here are some tips for maintaining your asphalt and keeping it looking new.

Understand the Risks

Asphalt paving is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost your home’s curb appeal while getting a driveway with durability to hold up to harsh Canadian weather. Even though asphalt is one of the best quality materials you can get for your property, it still needs some care to retain its strength. Without the proper maintenance, you could run into problems with your asphalt pavement, such as:

• Edge cracking
• Fading
• Oil spots
• Grass or weed growth
• Potholes

Knowing what to watch out for is the first step in proper asphalt maintenance.

No Parking

After your asphalt has been paved, you will need to let it sit for a couple of days. Don’t let anything heavy be placed on top of it, including your vehicles. The soft condition of fresh asphalt means if you park your vehicle on it, there may be an impression left on your pavement. If the weather is hotter, you may want to wait a little longer to let it cure as warm weather makes asphalt soft.

Early Asphalt Care

The steps you take in the first few weeks are key for the longevity of your asphalt pavement. If you wait for several days to put any heavyweight on the pavement, your asphalt will be better able to handle weight in the long term. The curing process can last from 90 to 120 days. Heavy objects can leave imprints on the asphalt when it is soft. It’s best not to park vehicles on your new driveway if the weather is quite hot. Also, don’t turn the wheels while your car is parked, as this can grind impressions into the pavement.

Avoid Impressions

Homeowners appreciate the look and softness of asphalt, which makes it an ideal material for paving. However, the softness of asphalt paving presents a challenge when it comes to impressions on your driveway. Some ways to avoid leaving impressions on the paving include:

• Don’t park in the same place each day
• Avoid leaving heavy things on your new asphalt, such as ATVs, boats, RVs, etc.
• Use a piece of plywood if you must put items on your driveway, as this can balance out the weight

Keep it Clean

Some liquids like gas, oil, and transmission fluid can cause your asphalt to deteriorate. If any of these spills are on your driveway, you must clean it up quickly to prevent damage.

Regularly sweep your driveway to prevent seeds or lawn clippings from getting trapped in small cracks. If left uncleaned, these can cause weeds and grass to grow in your driveway. This ruins the look of your property and may damage your asphalt.

In the winter, remove snow as soon as possible. The accumulation of snow and ice on your asphalt can lead to damage, such as potholes or cracks. It’s easier and more affordable to shovel snow than it is to repair damage to your asphalt. Also, remember that some de-icing chemicals can damage the surface of your asphalt. Consider using rock salt or potassium chloride, which is less corrosive.

Wash Your Asphalt

An excellent way to keep your pavement looking its best is to power wash it at least once a year. This can remove any residue that gets left behind from regular use throughout the seasons. You can also use a dish soap and water mixture to give your pavement a rinse and keep it looking new.

Seal It

After you’ve done an annual power wash, sealing your asphalt pavement adds an extra layer of protection. The key is to clear away any seeds, debris, build-up, and water before filling it. It’s also crucial to repair any cracks before sealing to keep the integrity of the pavement. If you’re not sure whether or not your pavement needs to be filled, contact a professional for their opinion. With the professional touch, your driveway will be able to withstand the extreme Canadian temperatures.

Fill Cracks Quickly

Unfortunately, paving can crack, especially in the Canadian climate. The best way to deal with this is to repair tiny cracks fast. To do this, begin by visually inspect your driveway about twice a year. Applying asphalt sealing to hairline cracks will put you in the best position to prevent more significant damage. For larger cracks, it’s best to call in a professional asphalt paving company to preserve the integrity of your pavement.

Develop a Drainage Strategy

Standing water is dangerous to the integrity of your asphalt paving. Whether it is rain, melting snow, or gardening activities, water left on your pavement will lead to damage. So, it’s crucial to have a strategy that allows water to drain away from your driveway. Discuss a plan with your paving professional before installation is complete. They’ll be able to work with the terrain of your property to create a drainage route to keep your asphalt paving safe.

Protect the Edge of Your Paving

The most vulnerable part of your new asphalt driveway is the edge. Its job is to keep the asphalt together. You’ll need to ensure a little extra care for the edges of your pavement. Keep vehicles and heavy items away from the edge. If one of the edges is damaged, contact your paving professional for repair.

Maintaining the strength, durability, and look of your new asphalt paving is key to preserving your property’s curb appeal. It also provides you with a reliable driveway for your home.

If you want to know more about your asphalt paving options, contact Black Tar for a free estimate.