A new asphalt driveway can provide a smooth driving and parking surface that serves your property for many years. In addition, the rich, deep hue of freshly poured asphalt can be a big boost to curb appeal. That said, your driveway will inevitably fade over time due to continued use, heat, water, and other elements. Fortunately, you can take steps to keep your driveway looking new and vibrant. Read on to understand more about keeping your driveway in good condition.
Clean up Spills as They Occur
Given its frequent traffic, your driveway will likely collect plenty of unwanted substances. Some examples include vehicle coolant, oil, hard water stains, paint, etc. While your surface might not be affected too adversely by some of these, others may eat through the top layer of your asphalt, causing damage. As such, you must give your driveway a deep, uniform wash over the areas with spills as soon as you notice them. This helps keep the entire surface looking fresh and well-kept.
Repair Cracks and Care for the Mended Sections
Cracks are also an inevitable occurrence, given the stress your asphalt incurs. You might be inclined to disregard small cracks, assuming they are harmless or not easily noticeable. However, constantly rising and falling temperatures force the cracks to expand into larger gaps. These can then turn into potholes if not rectified promptly enough. With this in mind, it is best to engage a reputable paving service that offers expert crack repair services to help you stay ahead of the issue.
Keep An Eye On Weeds
Unwanted vegetation sprouting through your driveway can damage your asphalt and ruin the appearance of your property. Moreover, persistent weeds can cause damage in the form of large surface cracks. Over time, these weeds become persistent, forcing you to perform a re-pavement. That said, all hope is not lost. You need to promptly remove any unwanted plants growing on or around your driveway. You can pull them out by their roots or use a professionally recommended weed killer. A barrier like a seal coating can also help stop weeds from thriving on your asphalt surface.
Consider Temperature Control
Another measure that can help protect your driveway is cooling down your asphalt on hot days. This is prudent because extremely hot temperatures can deteriorate your asphalt surface. The good news is that you can apply some pro tips to help keep your driveway from overheating and cracking. For example, setting up a sprinkler system can keep your asphalt wet and lower the temperatures. You can also cover your driveway using a carport if the area is not too large.
These guidelines aim to keep your driveway looking good and performing optimally. It is also imperative that you hire an asphalt paving contractor for continual driveway maintenance.
Reach out to a company like Gateway Paving to learn more.