From its initial warm and comforting feeling when you first drive onto your driveway to its life-saving ability to provide you with a reliable way to get your car from Point A to Point B—your asphalt driveway is an important part of your life.
But just like anything else, asphalt driveways require a certain level of care and upkeep if you want them to last for years. With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks on how to protect and maintain your asphalt driveway year-round.
From surface protection to regular maintenance, we'll cover what needs to be done every season so that you can enjoy a well-manicured and safe driveway all year long. Let's get started!
Keeping the Asphalt Clean
When you have an asphalt driveway, the more effort you put into keeping it clean, the better condition it will stay in year-round. And the best place to start is with regular cleaning.
This can be as simple as regularly sweeping away any leaves, sticks, or other debris that may land on your driveway. Good maintenance also includes regular washing—especially after a big storm—which will help keep the stain and lightening agents away from the surface of your asphalt.
To really keep your drive in top shape, use an oil-based cleaner formulated for asphalt surfaces and warm water twice a year. This will help to remove any dirt or grime that has built up on the surface of your driveway. Afterward, be sure to rinse it off with a garden hose. And remember to sealcoat every two to three years to ensure long-term protection and maintain its esthetic appeal!
Repairs to Fix Damage
Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep the damage from getting worse and to help repair any existing damage. One thing you should do is periodically inspect the driveway for issues. Look for any cracked or broken pavement, or perhaps water pooling in a particular area that might weaken the foundation.
If your asphalt driveway is damaged, there are a few possible stages of repair:
Cracks: Fill any holes or cracks with cold patch asphalt to prevent rainwater from seeping under the asphalt and eroding the foundation.
Small Sections: For damaged sections of up to two feet square, it may be possible to use a patching material that can fill in the damaged area and match the surrounding pavement.
Large Areas: For larger areas of damage, you may need to hire an experienced paving contractor who can replace large sections of your driveway with a new layer of asphalt.
Sealing for Protection and Esthetics
Sealing your asphalt driveway is a great way to protect it from water and sun damage, as well as make it look better. Once the surface of your asphalt begins to deteriorate, especially after the winter season, sealing will help protect it from further damage. It will also make your driveway look new again by providing a clean and smooth surface that looks new.
There are two types of sealers that you can use:
A top-coat sealer helps to protect your driveway from UV rays and weather elements while acting as a barrier between the asphalt and the outside environment. This type of sealer is typically used on newer asphalt driveways that are not yet showing any signs of wear and tear.
An asphalt rejuvenator is used for older driveways that have already experienced some wear and tear over time. This type of sealer helps to restore your driveway’s color, appearance, uniformity, and strength by adding back vital minerals that are often lost due to oxidation.
It’s best to check with a professional paving contractor for advice on which sealer would work best for you. Sealing should be done every 2-3 years for optimal protection and esthetics.
Taking Preventative Measures Against Cracks and More
You want to do everything you can to keep your asphalt driveway crack-free. To do this, preventative maintenance is key. Regarding preventive measures against cracks and more, here are a few things you should consider.
Sealant
Sealants play an important role in protecting your asphalt driveway from the elements. A quality sealant helps protect against the sun's UV rays, water damage, and oxidation, among other things. Regularly applying sealant can extend your asphalt driveway's life considerably.
Repairs
If you notice any cracks or holes in your asphalt driveway, have them fixed quickly. Don't wait too long—the sooner they're addressed, the better chance you have of avoiding major repairs down the line. Make sure to use a permanent patching compound and not something like tar or paint, as it won't fix the problem for good.
Inspection
It's also a good idea to inspect your asphalt driveway every few months for signs of damage or wear and tear. When necessary, have any cracks or holes that do pop up in the meantime filled right away by a professional paving company.
By taking these proactive steps now—like sealant application and proper repair—you'll be able to enjoy a healthy and vibrant asphalt driveway for years to come!
Monitoring for Signs of Deterioration
It's important to look out for any signs of deterioration on your asphalt driveway. Small cracks can be indicative of big problems that are on the way if you don't take action.
Freezing and Thawing
We all know that water freezing and thawing in the wintertime can cause damage to asphalt, so it's important to stay vigilant when the temperatures start dropping. Freeze-thaw damage is caused by snow and ice melting into the pavement, then expanding when it refreezes. Tiny cracks are prime places for water to get in, so make sure you keep an eye on them throughout the winter season.
Sun Oxidation
Another problem you have to watch out for is sun oxidation, which generally happens during the summertime when temperatures are high. The sun’s UV rays can weaken asphalt, leading to cracking and crumbling over time. The best way to prevent this is by topping up your driveway with a sealcoat every few years—this will help add an extra layer of protection against harsh UV rays as well as repair any small cracks.
Other things you should do regularly include:
- Checking your driveway after storms or heavy rains
- Inspecting your gutter turnover points (that's where rainwater flows from your roof into gutters and then downspouts) or looking out for any low spots where water could pool
- Applying sealcoats at least once every two or three years
- Filling any cracks after they appear (even tiny ones)
Filling in Potholes and Other Serious Damage
Don't just ignore potholes and other serious damage to your asphalt driveway. When left unaddressed, they can further erode and become worse. The best way to fix potholes, depressions, cracks, and other severe damage is to fill them in with an asphalt patch mix and compact it down with a hand tamper or a mechanical tamper.
Here's what you need to do:
- Begin by removing any debris from the pothole or crack you intend to repair, then use a broom or wire brush to clean the sides as well.
- Fill the hole with an asphalt patch mix that's designed for all-weather protection (this makes it especially durable).
- Compact the asphalt patch mix using a hand tamper or mechanical tamper for larger areas. This helps the mix settle and bond with the surrounding area for reliable protection and stability.
- Once compacted, give it time to fully set before driving on it or exposing it to foot traffic (the time frame will vary depending on which specific product you're using).
Following these steps should help protect your asphalt driveway from further damage, saving you time (and money) in the long run!
Conclusion
The key to protecting and keeping your asphalt driveway looking like new is to maintain it regularly and take preventive measures.
It’s important to stay ahead of potential problems like excessive cracking and oil stains to keep your driveway looking great. This means regularly filling in any cracks, removing any oil and deicing spills, and resealing your driveway every few years.
With proper care and maintenance, your asphalt driveway should last for years to come.
Further Reading:
The Benefits of a Heated Driveway