Six Mistakes You Need To Avoid To Keep Your Asphalt Properly Maintained
Asphalt is a durable material for paving parking lots, driveways, and roadways. However, asphalt surfaces need to be properly maintained to maximize their lifespans.
By avoiding the following six mistakes, you can ensure that your asphalt surfaces stay well maintained and last as long as possible:
Neglecting to repair potholes and cracks that develop
Potholes and cracks that develop in asphalt surfaces will expand over time if they are not repaired. This will lead to increased damage of the surface.
It's best to regularly inspect for the development of such damage and have it repaired promptly before it has the chance to expand.
Leaving debris like dirt or fallen vegetation on the asphalt surface
Any type of debris left on an asphalt surface is likely to trap moisture up against the surface. This is likely to cause cracks to develop over time.
For this reason, regularly performing asphalt maintenance by cleaning off the surface is important. Simply leaf blowing or sweeping off asphalt surfaces can be an effective way to deal with the issue.
Allowing drains or gutters to become clogged
Drains and gutters built into asphalt surfaces are important for getting rid of water. Any clogs that develop in these fixtures could allow pooling water to accumulate on asphalt surfaces. This will drastically increase the chances that potholes and cracks will develop.
Asphalt maintenance should involve drain and gutter inspections. Debris like leaves and vegetation that builds up in these fixtures needs to be cleared out right away.
Letting leaks from vehicles sit on top of asphalt
Anything that leaks out of a vehicle can be especially damaging on an asphalt surface. If you notice any oil, gas, or automobile fluid like transmission fluid that has leaked onto asphalt, you should immediately wash it off.
Neglecting to sealcoat
Sealcoating is one of the most important things you need to do to fortify your asphalt against possible damage over time. Sealcoating slows penetration from damaging fluids like automotive fluids. It also fortifies asphalt against exposure to moisture and minimizes the chances that potholes will develop.
Failing to wait the recommended time to drive over the surface after sealcoating
Simply putting sealcoat down every few years is not enough to keep asphalt surfaces as strong as possible. It's also important to wait the required time after sealcoating so that the seal can fully set.
Waiting for at least a day and ideally a couple days before allowing vehicles to travel over asphalt after sealcoating.
