Driveway Maintenance

Driveway care and maintenance for asphalt pavingUnlike concrete, an asphalt driveway has the properties of strength and flexibility, which make it ideal for colder temperature regions that are prone to freeze/thaw conditions.

In hotter temperatures although, the pavement is soft and pliable and prone to distress if care is not exercised. Common problems associated with this softening include placing items like lawn chairs, bicycle and motorcycle kickstands that concentrate their weight over a small area. Use of a wood block to distribute the weight is advisable. Car tires tend to scuff the surface of the driveway particularly when turning the steering wheel if the car is not moving. Additionally, vehicles that are excessively heavy, i.e. fuel truck, concrete truck etc, can depress your new driveway and should be avoided, specifically on the hotter days.

Furthermore, the driveway is designed to handle passenger vehicle type traffic, and heavier vehicles even in cooler temperatures will cause some level of pavement distress. As the driveway hardens and cures with time, the risk of damaging the driveway will decrease.

Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of the hot mix asphalt. It is comprised of various sizes of stone, sand and liquid asphalt. Often areas that are constructed by hand may show a different texture than those placed by machine.

The edges of your driveway are the weakest due to the lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges as they will crack and crumble over time. We suggest building the sides of the driveway up with topsoil and placing some sod to provide support.

Avoid gasoline, oil, antifreeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills and leaks, as they will dilute the liquid asphalt in your driveway, weakening the pavement bond.

Hairline cracks may develop over the winter due to the expansion and contraction of the pavement. These cracks should be filled with crack filler to limit the ingress of water. Crack filler can be obtained at your local hardware store.