Whether your home has an asphalt driveway or your business has an asphalt parking lot, it’s essential to invest in maintenance and repairs so that the surface remains intact for years to come. There are several simple ways to ensure the aesthetic value, safety, and structural integrity of the pavement. Below, you’ll learn more about how to care for asphalt driveways and parking lots.

Your Guide to Asphalt Upkeep

1. Seal Cracks

Asphalt cracks typically develop due to temperature fluctuations. When it’s cold, the pavement contracts, and when it’s warm, the pavement expands, which may result in fissures. Seal cracks with caulk or additional asphalt to prevent water from entering and potentially spreading them or causing the surface to crumble. This will also help keep salt and deicing chemicals from penetrating the subgrade in the winter.

2. Patch

If you notice potholes on your asphalt driveway or parking lot, patch them before they get larger. Prep and pave the hole with an asphalt patching product. Tamp it down and compress it until the patch sits flush with the pavement around it, and allow it to cure for 24 to 48 hours. Because of the length of this process, only do this during periods with no forecasted rain.

3. Overlay

Overlaying your asphalt driveway or parking lot will reinforce the surface, improve its appearance, and promote better drainage. Hire a contractor to add a one or two-inch layer of new asphalt. Repair any damage in advance, as they may show through the new layer. 

4. Sealcoat 

In addition to deepening the color of your asphalt and making it look more attractive, seal coating protects the pavement from absorbing excess moisture, whether from rain or oil. As a result, you won’t have to worry as much about weathering or freeze-thaw damage, as it provides a buffer between the asphalt and the elements.  Again, keeping salt and deicing chemicals from penetrating the subgrade during the winter which can cause devastating damages to parking lots and driveways.

Keep your asphalt surfaces in excellent condition with help from the team at Ron Webb Paving, Inc. They offer asphalt paving, overlaying, reconstruction,and repairs to clients throughout Anchorage, AK. Call (907) 349-3724 to report damages or drainage problems and schedule a service appointment. Visit their website to learn more about how they can make your residential or commercial property more practical and attractive with smooth asphalt surfaces.