Summer Asphalt Care and Tips

Asphalt is perhaps the most popular type of driveway in the United States given that is excellent for all types of climates. Even though asphalt is extremely durable in all conditions, it will still need some maintenance to ensure that you get the most out of your asphalt driveway. We have listed some helpful tips and trick to do in the summer months when the asphalt is at its most vulnerable state due to the extreme heat, and help make sure that you asphalt driveway last as long as it is supposed too.

Repair cracks – Surface cracking often indicates that the subgrade beneath the asphalt is failing, this will also allow water penetration into the subgrade. In these cases, depending upon the severity, the affected problems such as potholes and alligatoring, may need to be removed and replaced. Alligator cracking is a term commonly used to describe the distinctive appearance of an asphalt surface that has suffered fatigue damage. The terms crocodile cracking,” alligatored asphalt” and “crocodiling” are all used interchangeably to describe the damage as the pattern formed is reminiscent of a reptile’s scaly skin.

“Asphalt Alligator Cracking”

Food products, in particular, should be cleaned up quickly, because these tend to have a relatively high acid content, e.g., ketchup, hot sauce, salad dressing, which then lingers on the surface, promoting deterioration of the asphalt. Sweeping your driveway regularly throughout the summer makes your property look clean and can prevent excessive stress on your driveway.

The nice weather means more sprinkler use, hand watering delicate landscaping, washing cars and spraying off the driveway. If repairs are not made to your driveway, water from irrigation can seep through these openings in its surface. Water and moisture will begin to degrade the layers underneath the asphalt, and prolonged exposure to the sun can worsen the problem.

Seal coating is most likely the best way to preserve your driveway for the long haul as it will protect against heat oxidation, water damage and will help protect your driveway against any other elements such as hail, broken branches or tree limbs, etc. Not to mention, a fresh seal coat will help put a nice new shine on your asphalt similar to putting tire shine on your tires.

Avoid Sharp or Excessively Heavy Objects: Just like anything that you want to keep nice, you want to keep sharp objects from dropping on your driveway such as nails, razor blades, etc. These can dig into the surface and create opportunities for expensive and costly cracks to develop. Also, avoid putting extremely heavy products on your driveway. For example; if you are re-roofing the residence, don’t place skids of roofing shingles on the asphalt as they could cause sinking and/or large depressions because of the extreme , summer heat buildup.

Contact us for an estimate today. Kurpiel Inc. can help you not only with the installation of your new asphalt driveway, but can also provide preventative maintenance and sealing as well.

19 Orchard St. – Hackensack, N.J. 07601 / Toll Free at 1-800-273-9769 / (201) 342-3170