A newly paved asphalt driveway is a strong and durable surface that improves your property’s curb appeal. In order to maintain its integrity, it’s important to take steps to protect the material after installation. Here are four tips to ensure that it looks its best and stays in great shape.

How to Care for Your New Asphalt Driveway

1. Don’t Park on It Immediately

Although the substance takes approximately a year to cure fully, you don’t need to wait that long to use it. But it is best to avoid it for at least three days so that it isn’t exposed to any excessive strain that could derail the process. Keep pets away, and alert others not to walk on the driveway. Although you can park on it after that, avoid larger vehicles, like trucks, for at least a month. If possible, don’t park in the exact same spot every day—you’ll prevent premature wear in a single area that way.

2. Do Your Best to Prevent Leaks

Avoid exposing the surface to any type of fluid. If your vehicle is leaking oil, for example, don’t park on the driveway. If you need to do any type of automotive work that requires fluids, do so elsewhere to minimize the likelihood of a spill or leak. Otherwise, the substance could dilute the integrity of the asphalt and leave behind a small hole or somehow degrade the surface.

3. Check the Surface After Winter

Cold weather can be particularly damaging to this surface. Since asphalt is porous, it will absorb water throughout the season. That could cause expansion upon freezing under the surface, leading to hairline cracks that eventually become more widespread. Avoid using a metal shovel against the surface after it snows, and check the ground carefully after the season for any imperfections. Have a paving contractor repair them immediately to prevent further issues.

4. Sealcoat the Surface Eventually

You don’t need to sealcoat the surface in the immediate aftermath of installation, but it should be completed approximately two years later. This barrier protects the surface from a variety of environmental assaults, like harsh ultraviolet rays and moisture, and prevents cracks and potholes from developing.
 

Whether you’re interested in installing a new asphalt driveway or repairing cracks and potholes, you can trust in the team at PaveCo Contracting to assist every step of the way. Proudly serving clients throughout Kalispell, MT, since 1983, the family-owned company also offers sealcoating and commercial paving services. Visit the website to find out more about how they can help you, or call (406) 752-0051 to request a free estimate.