5 Tips To Extend The Life Of Your Asphalt Driveway
The typical cost of installing a new asphalt driveway starts from $2 to $5 per square foot. As per HomeAdvisor, the total average amount that homeowners usually spend on an asphalt paving project ranges from $2,853 – $6,295 depending on the size of the area. Although asphalt is popular as one of the most economical options, of course, any homeowner would still want to get the most value for their buck so we expect any home improvement project to last us a long time.
On average, an asphalt driveway should be serviceable for 12 to 20 years. Then again, there’s still a number of considerations to factor in, such as the climate, foot and vehicle traffic, exposure to UV light, extreme weather conditions, and maintenance. You can’t expect your driveway to exceed that 20-year mark if you’re not doing regular maintenance. Therefore, if you want to optimize your investment, start doing these 5 tips and extend the life of your asphalt pavement.
#1 Patch Any Cracks Or Holes.
Pay attention to even the smallest cracks in your driveway and make sure to patch them up before it gets worse. Cracks allow water to seep through the surface of the pavement which then breaks down the structural integrity of your asphalt driveway creating bigger cracks and potholes over time if left untreated. Not only water can seep through cracks, but also grass and weeds which will only slowly break down the material and exacerbate the problem.
Hence, the best time to prevent that from happening is to be aware of these cracks and holes no matter how small and be sure to fix it right away. Don’t wait for it to get worse to call an expert and spend another few hundreds of dollars to repair your driveway.
#2 Sealcoat Your Driveway Periodically Every 2 To 3 Years.
If you have a newly paved asphalt driveway, it’s important to note that you can’t sealcoat it until after 6 months. The sealcoat will help you keep the water from permeating your driveway and causing structural damage. Now, allow some time for the asphalt to cure completely before adding that layer of protection. But after that first year, be sure to apply a fresh coat of sealant after every 2 or 3 years.
Take note, it is not advisable to apply sealcoat every year as the chemical could just do more harm than protection. Sealcoating it too often will eventually peel off your driveway.
#3 Keep Watch Of Heavy Traffic.
One of the reasons that depressions form on the driveway is overloading or heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Although asphalt is meant to withstand heavy weight from passenger cars, you parking in the same spot can break down the surface much faster than it should. Heavy machinery can also cause the same effect, so watch out for that.
#4 Add Edging.
Edging puts an extra support and protection to your driveway. The edges are the most susceptible to crumbling and deterioration because these are the less compressed areas and as such lining bricks, blocks or pavers along the edges will keep the asphalt intact and keep the grass off your driveway.
Take some time to check out some driveway edging ideas and you might find something that will compliment your driveway and your house exterior.
#5 Avoid using rock salt during winter.
Are you aware that rock salt, a most commonly used deicing agent, is corroding your asphalt driveway? Although sodium chloride is good for melting ice and snow, the problem with it is that it also accelerates the free-thaw cycle resulting to early deterioration of your driveway. A good alternative to rock salt is calcium chloride. It can work down to as low as -25 °F and has fewer freeze-thaw cycles.
To extend the life of your driveway, observe regular preventive maintenance and fix issues before they get worse. If you need professional assistance, give driveway repair in Woodbridge VA a ring and you can ask for a free estimate.
But if you are a trusted and reliable paving contractor looking to grow your paving business, consult with an asphalt paving marketing company and for sure, they’ll love to work with you.
