Asphalt driveways require care and maintenance, especially when they’re newly installed. Though you can use your new surface after 24 hours, asphalt takes up to 12 months to fully cure and harden, leaving it pliable and fragile. As your driveway hardens, it’s important to use caution and perform some maintenance tasks to preserve its structure and appearance.

Necessary Maintenance for Asphalt Driveways

First-Year Tips

Because asphalt driveways take up to a year to cure, owners should avoid parking heavy-duty vehicles such as boats, RVs, and moving vans in the space. The weight can damage the integrity of the driveway, causing it to crumble and develop holes.

Don’t use ice-melting products to remove snow from your driveway, and try to keep gasoline and other fuels from spilling onto the substance. These can interact with the asphalt and cause it to soften and crack. Keep drivers from making sudden stops and from turning the steering wheel while the car is parked to prevent gouges from developing in the surface.

Maintenance After the First Year

Hot temperatures in summer can affect your asphalt even after it has cured and hardened, so drivers should also follow the above tips whenever temperatures rise above 100 degrees. Owners should never drive or park near the edge of asphalt driveways—doing so will cause the edges to crumble or crack. It’s also advisable to avoid parking in the same spot every day. Park in different spaces to spread the wear and tear evenly. You should also keep plant life from growing too close to the edge of your asphalt driveway. Some vegetation can burrow up through the base and sprout on the surface of asphalt.

If you experience problems with your asphalt driveway and need repairs, AAA Paving Company in Kernersville, NC, can seal, resurface, and patch the material as required. For more than 30 years, this top-rated asphalt paving contractor has serviced the Triad area of North Carolina. Call (336) 723-1418 or visit their website to request a consultation today.