Most people don’t give much thought to their driveway, but a few preventative measures can go a long way toward protecting this investment. To keep your surface looking like new for years to come, follow these tips for asphalt maintenance and repairs.

Do:

Seal your driveway.

Asphalt driveways need to be resealed about once every three years to protect against cracks, water damage, and oil stains. You should wait anywhere between 12 and 36 hours after sealing before parking on the driveway again, depending on the humidity levels, sunlight exposure, and temperature. If you’re unsure, talk to your contractor about the curing time.

Repair cracks right away.

Once there’s a crack in your driveway, the foundation will be exposed to rain. Over time, moisture can displace the gravel and cause the crack to widen and spread. To avoid this problem, schedule repairs as soon as you notice damage and keep the area covered until the work is complete. Depending on the extent of the cracks, you could need a simple patch, resurfacing, or complete replacement.

Don’t:

Use a metal-tipped snow shovel.

If you use a metal-tipped snow shovel, you can scrape the asphalt and leave long, unsightly gashes. Motorcycle kickstands, ladders, and other pointed, heavy objects can also create divots on the surface unless you lay down a wooden board to help redistribute the weight.

Park heavy-load vehicles.

Asphalt driveways are designed for personal-use vehicles, such as cars and light trucks. They’re not strong enough to withstand the weight of construction vehicles, dumpsters, or commercial trailers, so don’t let work crews park on your driveway. Also, when trucks are parked there, aim for the center of the asphalt since the edges are weaker and more susceptible to crumbling.

 

Asphalt driveways are affordable and easy to maintain, as long as you take a few preventative measures. If you need help with asphalt maintenance in Port Jervis, NY, or anywhere in the Tri-State area, Kowal Brothers Paving is happy to assist. They offer sealcoating, driveway installation, repairs, and asphalt maintenance for residential and commercial properties. To learn more about their services, visit their website or call (845) 856-4163 today.