Protecting and Prolonging Your Asphalt Driveway

If you are having a new  driveway installed, keep in mind that asphalt pavement is economical, durable, low maintenance and eco-friendly. In fact, asphalt can be installed in about half the time of concrete and for much less cost and has many additional attributes, including:

• Asphalt will not flake like concrete and is much less likely to crack.
• When cracks do occur in asphalt, they are easy to fix at a low cost.
• In winter, snow and ice melt away from asphalt much more quickly than concrete because the black surface of asphalt absorbs and holds heat. 
• Asphalt does not deteriorate from the use of salt the way concrete does.
• Since asphalt can be recycled and reused, it is eco-friendly when compared to concrete.

If you are ready to love your new driveway, consider using asphalt pavement. If you already have an asphalt pavement driveway, here are tips to help you protect and prolong your asphalt driveway. With proper maintenance, your asphalt pavement can last for 20+ years. 

Seal Coating the Driveway

Seal coating shouldn't be done right away when new asphalt driveways are installed, but rather, completed about 2 years after initial installation. Seal coating will help preserve the asphalt and keep it looking like new for a long time. It prevents UV rays from the sun from damaging the base layer of the asphalt. It also prevents cracking and potholes from developing and spreading.

Seal coating can be a do-it-yourself job, but for best results, have it done professionally. Seal coating needs to be redone every few years to help improve the look and durability of your asphalt surface. Before applying seal coating, the driveway needs to be cleaned and power washed. Any stains from oil, transmission fluid, or other substances must be cleaned away. This is done by scrubbing the area with a commercial cleaner, following these simple tips. After the stains are cleaned, the driveway should be power washed. Always clean the stains first because power washing will drive the substance causing the stain deeper into the asphalt. After power washing, the driveway should be given time to dry completely and then seal coating can begin.

The Benefits of Asphalt Pavement Sealcoating Include:

• Reduces long term repair costs.
• Accelerates the melting process of snow and ice on the pavement surface.
• Protects pavement from oxidation, oil and chemical spills.
• Protects pavement from water penetration, rain, frost and snow damage.
• Enhances the appearance of your home, building and landscape.
• Prolongs the life of pavement, safeguarding your investment.

Filling Cracks

Cracks in an asphalt driveway should be filled as soon as possible after they are noticed. This will prevent them from spreading. The materials used to fill cracks in asphalt driveways can be purchased at any home improvement store as a short-term solution, but always contact an asphalt paving contractor because there is likely an underlying problem that requires inspection and repair. 

As a general rule, whenever you see cracks in your asphalt, the first thing you should do is apply crack filler or sealcoating, weather permitting, to try to halt further spread of damage.

 

 

Try to keep traffic away from the affected area, if at all possible. Every vehicle passing over the crack and weakened area may damage the surface further.

 

 

Rely on an experienced asphalt pavement contractor to help you determine the underlying problems. You may have a sub-base problem that will only get worse without proper evaluation and maintenance. 

 

Patching Holes

Potholes that appear in asphalt driveways should be patched as soon as possible after being noticed. This prevents the potholes from growing or further damage from occurring by driving over the potholes. The pothole should be cleaned of any debris, such as leaves or sticks, or other foreign objects. Believe it or not, there is a proper way to fill a pothole, and you should trust your local asphalt paving contractor to help you.

Green Asphalt Pavement is Eco-Friendly

A properly laid asphalt driveway is eco-friendly. Green porous asphalt pavement helps to purify water as it goes through the surface, returning water naturally to the water table and naturally watering the landscape.  This, along with the fact that asphalt can be recycled and reused, makes it a truly green technology.

With Asphalt Paving, It’s Easy to Request A Free Estimate

If you have any questions about the benefits of asphalt paving or are interested in a free asphalt paving estimate, please contact us today!

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs. Wolf Paving offers professional paving services from Milwaukee to Madison, and everywhere in between, including all areas around: Sun Prairie, Oconomowoc and Waukesha.

It’s never too early or too late to request a free paving estimate. Call Wolf Paving today. For the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

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