Written by Admin and published on https://www.improvenet.com/.
Ongoing asphalt driveway maintenance is an important part of owning an asphalt driveway. Think about it this way, your driveway won’t last forever and at some point, you’ll need to remove it and replace it with a new one. How soon that day comes is entirely dependent upon how well-maintained the driveway is. Research has shown regular maintenance of an asphalt driveway can extend the life dramatically.
Everyone around you testifies by the magical concept of asphalt paving driveways and its long life. But do you know how to maintain it? If not maintained properly and on regular intervals, the lifespan of any paving can have a steep decrease. A well maintained asphalt paveway is smooth, durable, and an attractive feature for your home. Even though it plays a major part in your home’s curb appeal, the driveway is often the most overlooked area. It is a rather easy job to maintain your asphalt driveway than you think.
Asphalt Paving Driveway Maintenance Tips
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As a part of your exterior maintenance, incorporating your driveway into that routine is important. Asphalt driveways are a beautiful addition to any home exterior. But, to keep it looking great and adding to your curb appeal, you should be caring for your asphalt driveway appropriately.
From sealing as needed to cleaning regularly, it’s important to have a routine when it comes to caring for your driveway. Here are a few ways you can maintain your asphalt driveway this year.
If your asphalt driveway is in need or a repair or sealing, let the pros handle it. Contact a paving contractor today for quotes from pros in your area, for free.
Caring For Your Asphalt Driveway
If you’ve just installed a new asphalt driveway, congratulations! You made a great investment in your home. The good news is that asphalt will last a long time, 12 to 35 years if cared for appropriately, depending on your climate. Areas with extreme cold and extreme heat might need to take extra time to repair and reseal as part of their maintenance routines. Here are some things you can do to make sure your asphalt driveway stays in great shape.
- Make any repairs as soon as you see them.
- Seal your driveway every three to five years as needed.
- On days with extreme heat, be careful parking your car on the driveway. It could leave permanent tire marks.
- Dumpsters, moving trucks and other heavy equipment should never be placed on an asphalt driveway.
- If you have a plow or metal edged shovel, be careful when removing snow, as not to damage the asphalt.
Asphalt Driveway Repair
Even with the utmost care for your driveway, it’s likely that over time, you could need a repair. This could be cracks in the asphalt or small potholes that occur over time. To keep your asphalt driveway at its best, you’ll want to get these repaired. The average cost to repair asphalt paving is $1,729, with most homeowner spending between $1,032 and $1,913.
Asphalt Driveway Sealing
When your new asphalt driveway goes in, it will look flawless and beautiful. Over time, you may notice some imperfections such as small cracks that can turn into big problems. This tends to happen after exposure to the elements. These small cracks can actually become bigger and create long-term problems for your driveway. It allows excess moisture to get into the asphalt, shortening its lifespan.
Part of your asphalt driveway maintenance is regular sealing. The good news is that sealing your driveway could be a project you DIY. However, you want to make sure that the weather is just right, meaning warm and no chance of rain for at least 24 hours. The average cost to seal asphalt paving is $384, with most homeowners spending between $263 and $390.
Cleaning Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt is a popular choice because its dark color can hide many imperfections that may occur. One thing homeowners sometimes neglect to do is clearing their driveways of leaves and debris. This can leave unsightly marks and stains on asphalt as the leaves decompose. Sweep your asphalt during the fall to keep your driveway clear.
If you live in a colder environment where you use salt on your driveway, you may notice that can discolor your driveway. One of the best things you can do is include a good scrub during your spring home maintenance. Power washing asphalt is not advised unless done by a professional, as you can damage your asphalt easily. A way you can, however, clean your driveway without damaging it is with a solution of dish soap and water. In a large bucket, fill with one-part dish soap and three parts of water. Using a large scrub brush, clean the length of your driveway. Use a hose to rinse off the solution and see your asphalt look good as new again!
How To Remove Oil Stains From Asphalt
In some cases, you may have oil stains on your driveway that are too tough to come out. Oil stains can be unsightly and hurt your overall curb appeal, which is something certainly concerning if you’re trying to sell your home. You’ll need to get them out to keep your driveway looking great. If you like to DIY, you can invest in a degreaser and follow the manufacturer’s instructions to remove the stain. As an eco-friendly DIY method, did you know you can use kitty litter over a fresh oil stain to keep it from seeping into your asphalt? You’ll need to let it sit out on the stain overnight, then, brush it off in the morning. Some DIYers also recommend pouring Coca-Cola over the stain before your routine cleaning.
If you’ve tried DIY methods and the stain is still not coming out, it’s recommended that you contact a professional who can help you remove the oil stain without damaging your driveway.
Conclusion
Asphalt driveways are a beautiful addition to any home; however, they require care and maintenance to it keep looking their best. Perform regular driveway maintenance, repair cracks and stains and keep it clean to ensure your asphalt last a long time and looks great!
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