A home’s driveway not only affects its overall aesthetic appeal, but also prevents vehicles from getting damaged during parking. If yours is made of asphalt, the heat in the summer will impact the structure. Understanding how this happens will help you prevent issues like cracks and potholes. To help you care for your driveway, here’s a guide to how the season affects it and what steps to take to safeguard it.

How the Heat Damages Asphalt Driveways

During the summer, the sun’s rays beat down on your driveway, and since it’s black, it absorbs the heat and amplifies it. The heat breaks down the various components of the asphalt, including the oils, causing it to expand and creating internal gaps. If these gaps get large enough, the surface starts to crack.

Cracks leave your driveway more prone to water damage. If rainwater infiltrates them, it gets locked in and continues to degrade the internal parts that make up the asphalt. If this isn’t fixed, that moisture starts to expand during the colder months as it freezes, which may lead to potholes and more extensive damage.

How to Protect Your Driveway

Luckily, there are preventive steps you can take to avoid issues. First, if you see any cracks appearing, apply a sealcoating layer to prevent water infiltration. Another way to keep your driveway protected is to avoid doing any work in the area during the hottest times of the season. The heat weakens the structure of the asphalt, and using sharp gardening tools or placing cars and other heavy machinery on top of the softened surface may cause deformities. You may also cool off the driveway by watering it down occasionally. Whether it’s running the hose over the surface or setting up a sprinkler system to do it for you, this helps mitigate the effects of the heat.