What No One Tells You About Construction and Contractors

Every driveway, no matter how well-installed and durable it is, will eventually reach its maximum lifespan and become a safety hazard. Your primary objective after installing a new asphalt driveway should be to get the most service out of it before it can be completely removed and replaced. This calls for a proper maintenance plan.

As part of your asphalt maintenance plan, make sure you are doing the following:

Fixing cracks

The presence of cracks, regardless of how big or small they are, is a sure sign of trouble for your asphalt driveway. If left unattended, water will easily find its way into the base of the driveway through these cracks and cause extensive damage. During the winter spell, for instance, the frequent freeze and thaw cycles will make the cracks to expand, and they can even allow weed growth, giving your driveway a very unpleasant look. For small cracks, you can use asphalt emulsion filler, while for bigger ones, pre-packaged blacktop crack filler would do.

Patching

Another common problem you may face with your asphalt driveway is the presence of potholes. Potholes are notorious in the springtime, just after winter's freeze-thaw cycles have ended and spring's continual rain showers have done the damage. Unless they are taken care of early, potholes will only cause more damage to the driveway with time. You can use ready-to-use, all-weather blacktop patch to fix the problem. Make sure you allow enough time for the patch to cure before you can use the driveway again.

Resealing

The sealcoating on your driveway is designed to keep the asphalt material tightly held together. However, sealers used to protect your driveway from harsh weather elements such as heavy rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun, usually get deteriorated over time. Making sure that you reseal your driveway with the right sealers as required will ensure that it serves you for a long time.

For best results, make sure that the surface of your driveway is free of any cracks, potholes or ponding water. Also, remember to clear any debris off the surface of your driveway with high pressure water to allow the sealcoat to properly adhering to the driveway surface.

With the above-discussed maintenance tips, your asphalt driveway will remain intact and keep looking nice for longer. Hence, you can rest assured knowing that your investment in the driveway will pay off in the long term. For more information, contact a paving contractor like Catwest Road Services.