Asphalt driveways enhance your property’s appearance and add value to its valuation. While asphalt provides a smooth and durable surface to drive upon, it requires care and maintenance otherwise it will develop cracks and potholes as the years go by.
Fresh asphalt takes between 6-12 months to cure and harden. During this time it will be relatively fragile. It will remain pliable during this time and it’s important to take extra care as it cures. This means avoiding sudden stops or starts on the driveway. These can cause spot damage which is easily avoidable by simply maintaining a uniform speed along the driveway.
Pits, holes, and gouges can also occur as the driveway hardens. To prevent this, be sure not to place lawn chairs, kickstands, or other heavy objects on the driveway. These can sink into the asphalt especially on hot days as the ashpalt warms up and allows these items to depress the asphalt. For smaller items such as tables, etc., it’s recommended that you place a sheet of plywood beneath them first. This will help disburse the weight and reduce the possibility of creating divits in the asphalt.
In light of this, one of the most important things regarding asphalt driveway care is to remember not to drive heavy trucks or machinery over it until it has cured. These can easily create tracks in the asphalt and wreak havoc on its structural integrity. As water and ice get into these, they can easily cause cracks in the asphalt. As these grow, potholes can form which will further damage the surface.
It is also advisable to keep gasoline, oil, transmission fluid, and anti-freeze off of the driveway. These can create a chemical reaction that will soften the asphalt and cause cracks. For this reason, it’s a good idea to apply a coal tar sealer to protect the driveway from leaks and spills.
Finally, don’t drive off the edges of the driveway. Doing so can cause the edge to crack and crumble. Once the driveway has cured, you can support it by building the edges up with topsoil. It’s important to wait until the asphalt has cured so that whatever buttressing you install will be done after the asphalt has hardened, otherwise there will be a gap between the topsoil and asphalt where water/ice can collect and press against the asphalt which will create cracks.
Contact us here at Master Markings to learn more.
