Your new asphalt driveway is an investment that will keep your property looking great for years to come.
However, there are certain steps that you should take to prevent wear and tear on your driveway. Here are some tips for maintenance immediately following your asphalt application:
- Avoid using your driveway for 48-72 hours. Asphalt takes this long to cure, so make sure to keep everyone and everything off of the new asphalt.
- Asphalt takes a year to fully cure. Until 12 months have passed on your asphalt application, avoid parking your car in the same place each time, using motorcycles or bikes with kickstands on the asphalt, or parking RVs or trailers there unless you evenly distribute the weight with pieces of plywood.
- During this first year, avoid turning your wheels while stationary in a power steering vehicle. It can create ruts in pliable pavement.
- Avoid driving heavy equipment such as construction vehicles over your pavement. Until the asphalt is fully hardened, heavier vehicles can break your asphalt down.
- Clean up oil or gasoline spills immediately. These can soften the surface of your asphalt over time. Also avoid using diesel fuel, as it can break down the binding agents in asphalt.
- Take care of the edges. It’s recommended that you avoid driving off the sides of edges of your driveway until a year has passed so that these edges have enough time to harden. You can also pack topsoil on the edges of your driveway and seed grass right up to the edges. This way, the exposed edges won’t crack or break over time.
- Apply sealcoating after 1-2 years. Sealcoating can extend the life of your asphalt and prevent cracks and holes. When you are sealcoating your new asphalt for the first time, you should apply it 1-2 years after the asphalt is installed. It can protect your new driveway against gas, oil, and sun damage and make a huge difference in the durability of your asphalt going forward.
For more information and tips for keeping your new asphalt looking great, contact United Asphalt Paving in Fort Worth and Houston!