Spring Asphalt Care and Maintenance
James Kurpiel Inc.

Let’s face it, it’s depressing to pull into your driveway and see weeds growing through the cracks and piles of debris accumulating within the cracks. Weeds are aggressive enough to survive and germinate even through the toughest of winters!

During winter, snow and ice repeatedly freeze and thaw on your asphalt surfaces. If your asphalt contains uneven areas or isn’t graded correctly, the thaw cycle can cause water to pool and seep into your asphalt surface. Since water expands when it freezes, it causes your asphalt to crack. Repeated freeze/thaw cycles can create large cracks and holes in your asphalt concrete surface enabling weeds to grow and the foundation to deteriorate.

Spring is the perfect time to check your driveway for any damage that winter’s moisture and extreme temperatures may have inflicted on your asphalt driveway. Check for any cracks, weed encroachment along the edges, or potholes, and check your driveway after it rains to see if there are any areas where water pools on its surface.

Asphalt Driveways

provide a smooth, durable surface for your vehicles, and a well-maintained asphalt driveway is an attractive feature for your home. Asphalt does need regular care to stay solid, though, and little cracks left unaddressed can turn your driveway into a crumbling eyesore.

Patch any potholes and fill in any low areas you find on your driveway, and repair any cracks. Pull any weeds along the edge of the driveway, and clean up the edges with an edging tool or hoe. If weed encroachment is a problem, consider installing an edging along your driveway, such as rubber mulch with a weed-proof mat underneath. Seal-coat your driveway every one to three years, and keep it clean and free of damaging growths such as moss and lichen in between seal-coating.

Concrete Driveways

Concrete is one of the best looking, lowest maintenance materials for constructing a driveway or sidwalk entranceway. It’s important to correct any problems before they turn into major damage and cause you to replace your driveway and/or pavement sooner than you should have to.

Rain can seep underneath of your driveway and cause the ground to shift, leading to cracking and crumbling. If you live in a climate where there are freezes and thaws, the risk of damage is even greater. Water can also pool in any low spots on your driveway’s surface and cause cracking.

Examine your driveway carefully, checking for any cracks, holes, or crumbling concrete. Don’t forget to look for cracks inside of the expansion joints. Check your driveway a second time just after a good rain, and look for any areas of standing water.

Caulk and seal any cracks that you find in your driveway, and seal any damaged expansion joints. Use a concrete re-surfacer to level out any low spots, or to put a “new face” on damaged concrete. Lift up any areas that have begun to sink lower than the rest of the driveway. Re-seal your concrete every three to five years, and keep your pavements clean and free of damaging growths such as moss and lichen in between re-sealings.

James Kurpiel Inc. of Hackensack N.J. is Bergen County’s exclusive distributor of SEALMASTER products and has an extensive selection of asphalt and concrete maintenance and repair products.

Confused as to what you need? Give us a call at (201) 342-3170 and talk with one of our expert product salesman. They’ll be happy to assist you.