When deciding whether to use asphalt or concrete for your driveway, there are a few things you need to consider. Asphalt pavements are durable, low maintenance, economical, eco-friendly and can be installed in half the time of concrete and are much more budget friendly. Additional asphalt benefits to consider:

❖ Unlike concrete, asphalt will not flake.

❖ Asphalt is much less likely to crack, and when cracks do occur in asphalt, they are easy to fix at a low cost.

❖ Asphalt can be recycled and reused!

If you already have an asphalt driveway, here are a few tips to consider for prolonging and protecting your driveway. With the proper maintenance in place, your asphalt can last for twenty years.

Sealcoating: Sealcoating will help preserve your asphalt and keep it looking new for a long period of time. You should consider sealcoating your driveway two years after the initial installation to help prevent cracking and potholes from developing and spreading. Sealcoating will also help prevent UV rays from the sun causing damage to the base layer of your asphalt.

Sealcoating can be a do it yourself job, but for best results, we recommend to have it done professionally. To help improve the look and durability of your asphalt surface this maintenance should be done every few years. Your driveway will need to be cleaned and power washed before applying a seal coat, and any stains from oil, transmission fluid or other substances must be cleaned away. This can be done by scrubbing the area with a commercial cleaner. After stains are cleaned, your driveway will be ready for a thorough power wash. Stains should always be cleaned first because power washing will drive the substance causing the stain deeper into the asphalt. After power washing, wait until your driveway is completely dry and then sealcoating can begin.

Benefits of Asphalt Pavement Sealcoating

❖ Prolongs the lifetime of pavement.

❖ Enhances the appearance of your home, building, and landscape.

❖ Protects pavement from oxidation, oil, and chemical spills.

❖ Reduces long-term repair costs.

❖ Protects pavements from water penetration and rain.

Filling Cracks: When a crack appears in an asphalt driveway, repairs should take place immediately to help prevent spread of damage. If possible, try to keep traffic away from the area because every vehicle passing over the crack will damage the surface further. The materials used to fill cracks in asphalt driveways, which include crack filler or sealcoating, can be purchased at a home improvement store as a short-term solution. However, you should contact an asphalt paving contractor because most likely there is an underlying problem that will require inspection and repairs. Relying on an experienced asphalt pavement contractor will help determine the underlying problem, which could include having a sub-base problem that will only get worse without proper evaluation and maintenance.

Potholes: Potholes that appear in asphalt driveways should be patched as soon as possible. This will prevent the pothole from growing or further damage from occurring by driving over the potholes. Potholes should be cleaned of any debris, such as leaves, sticks, or foreign objects. There is a proper way to fill a pothole, and for the best results, you should always contact your asphalt paving contractor to assist you!