A lot of properties have asphalt driveways. For a lot of homeowners, they’re simply the better option for the following reasons:
Clearly, there are lots of advantages to asphalt driveways – it’s no wonder they’re greatly preferred. However, it’s important to remember that despite the durability of asphalt as a paving material, like most things, it’s not impervious to damage. Therefore, to ensure its longevity, proper care and maintenance are required.

Paving contractors Manchester property owners turn to have the following tips:

1. Clean up oil and gas spills

Oil and gas spills do not only stain asphalt driveways (even if it’s not as noticeable compared to a concrete driveway) but they can also break down asphalt, which is an oil-based material.
If your car leaks, placing an old towel underneath the leak to catch the oil or gas can prevent damage to your driveway. Better yet, make sure to wipe off the spill as soon as you see it. You can also just park elsewhere until you have the leak fixed; this way, you can save your driveway and only have your car to spend money on for repair.

2.  Keep up with lawn care

Grass and weeds can easily grow through asphalt and it’s an ugly sight when they do. To prevent this from happening, always trim the edges of your lawn and tackle those weeds. There are weed killers you can use for spot treatment as well. Salt, for example, is a great weed killer and it doesn’t hurt asphalt at all.

To protect your asphalt driveway from aggressive vegetation, turn to a lawn maintenance service for the most effective solutions.

3. Be quick to repair cracks

Timely spot treatments can do so much in preserving the quality of your asphalt driveway. Fill the cracks you find in your driveway after a flood due to heavy rain showers or after the thawing of snow and seal them properly.
Have a repair kit handy for holes and cracks in your driveway. You don’t need the pros to take care of these minor damages.

4. Avoid parking your cars in the same space

If you want to avoid scarring on your asphalt driveway, this is an important tip to remember. Parking your vehicles in the same spot can lead to uneven wear of the material especially if your driveway’s still new (meaning it hasn’t even been six months since installation). Also, don’t playfully move the wheels when parked – “burning” rubber on the asphalt always leaves marks.

Paving contractors also advise avoiding driving and parking near the edges of the asphalt driveway because these areas are prone to crumble.

5. Don’t drag hard materials across your asphalt driveway

Think of it this way – that awful scratching sound created when you drag lawn chairs or any heavy material on your driveway is actually the painful cry of the asphalt pavement. The scrapes sustained by your driveway are not only unsightly but they can also lead to the fast deterioration of asphalt. Your driveway will crumble faster when exposed to other elements.
It’s worth adding as well that if your asphalt driveway is less than six months old and it’s the summer season, avoid walking on it wearing high heels. The pointy heels will create depressions and holes.

6. Re-apply seal coat every four to five years

Seal coat is important in protecting the structural integrity of asphalt driveways. It holds the material together, strengthens it, and prevents elements from easily penetrating. Seal coat also fills in small damages like hairline cracks, which tend to appear on the surface of asphalt driveways after a snowy winter.

There you have it: the smartest care and maintenance tips for asphalt driveways. Uphold these tips and you can be sure to maintain your property’s curb appeal. Not only that, you will also be able to avoid damages that will require costly repairs.

AUTHOR BIO 

Ron Shattuck Jr. built Shattuck Paving into a trusted, reputable family business. Ron Jr. learned a lot about the industry and the hard work ethic that Ronald Sr. lived by, and has now followed in his father’s shoes to operate the company and help it grow. Today, Shattuck Paving is more determined than ever to serve their customers’ needs with integrity. No compromises!