Asphalt is hard-wearing stuff and can provide a resilient and long-lasting driveway for your home or business. Like all things your asphalt driveway will require a little tender loving care to ensure you keep it looking in tip-top condition. Proper maintenance is a must, there are always a long list of jobs to do inside and outside the home but don’t neglect the gateway to your abode. Follow our guide on what to look for to make sure your asphalt driveway continues to be the commanding, attractive entrance it has always been.
It’s wise to cast a general eye over your driveway as often as possible, we don’t suggest keeping a magnifying glass in your pocket and spending hours painstakingly exploring your asphalt driveway. But, it is wise to look out for any changes or problems, so that any issues can be dealt with quickly and your driveway remains looking clean and neat.
Sealcoating helps to improve the resilience of your asphalt driveway, guarding against oxidization from the sun, water runoff and heavy use of the driveway.
The sealcoating process should be carried out every 3-5 years, and is a reliable and renowned method of protecting your driveway and increasing the lifespan of it.
Look out for small cracks in the asphalt driveway and take note of any that are larger than a quarter of an inch. As the name suggests, crack-filling relates to repairing these small cracks to prevent water from entering them. Cracks may look insignificant, but left untouched they can cause damage to your driveway. Water can seep in, weakening the asphalt and causing the cracks to spread. This can impact on the surface integrity (say hello to bothersome potholes) and lead to expensive repair costs in the long-run. Better to tackle small problems now, than leave them to fester.
To make sure your asphalt drive stays looking its very best clean it regularly – ensuring the removal of any unwanted debris such as stones, glass and gravel.
If this is just another job you do not have time for on your already overly stuffed to-do list consider hiring a professional, they will be able to safely remove the debris and clean your asphalt driveway – removing any annoying stains.
Oil spots can stain and can be a magnet for dust and grime, they should be cleansed from the asphalt driveway as soon as possible to keep your surface looking its best. Similarly, fuel spills can cause unsightly marks, normal gasoline will not cause any immediate impairment to your asphalt driveway, but if you leave a spill lingering on your driveway for a long time the appearance of your driveway may be affected. As for diesel fuel, a simple rule applies – keep it away from your asphalt!
There’s something quite satisfying about a neat bush! The grass and weeds growing near to your asphalt driveway should be kept in the same tidy fashion. Don’t allow them to grow too close to your driveway (they can cause problems).
"Our driveway has been a thorn in our side for some time. Excel Asphalt were courteous in their communication, and efficient, working to our requested ..."