Asphalt is the most commonly used material for roads, parking lots, and driveways. This sturdy, low-maintenance material is cost efficient, eco-friendly, and waterproof! While asphalt has better durability than concrete, it still requires regular maintenance and may become damaged over time. Outdoor element exposure and regular wear-and-tear can lead to asphalt cracking, denting, and other damage if the surface isn’t properly taken care of. By taking the following cautionary measures, you can extend the life of your asphalt surfaces, save time, and save money in the long run.
How to Keep Asphalt Pavement from Cracking
1. Clean Your Asphalt Surfaces Regularly
While this may seem like a hassle, cleaning your asphalt regularly can make a huge difference to the health and lifespan of your various surfaces. Outdoor contaminates such as leaves, pebbles, dirt, and liquids can deteriorate your asphalt over time. Keeping your pavement debris-free and clean is one of the easiest ways to prevent cracking in the future. Sweep away any large debris, and hose down the area to remove any substances you may have missed. For liquids or stains, you can scrub them away with a mild detergent and a stiff-bristled brush.
2. Sealcoat All Asphalt Surfaces
While sealcoating is one of the more expensive asphalt-protection measures, it has the most impact and effectiveness. Applying a coat of fresh sealant to your asphalt every two to three years reduces the chance of cracking. Sealant acts as a barrier between your asphalt surface and various harm factors, such as water, oil spills, various chemicals, UV rays, debris, and oxidation. Keeping your asphalt up to date with sealcoating drastically improves the functionality and lifespan of your surface.
3. Distribute Weight Evenly on All Asphalt Surfaces
Depending on what kind of asphalt surface you own, this preventative method may be difficult to carry out. You can protect your surface by evenly distributing the weight of vehicle parking by parking in various spots over time. While this method isn’t convenient for asphalt roads or popular parking lots, it’s definitely easier to carry out for a personal driveway or a smaller, less populated parking lot. The reason this method works is because asphalt can weaken and crack under constant weight or pressure. By breaking up this weight or pressure into increments, your asphalt is more likely to last longer without the constant stress in certain areas.
4. Maintenance Check Your Asphalt Surfaces
To make sure your asphalt is in good health, it is recommended to have maintenance checks performed every two years. This time frame is the same for sealcoating, which makes for an easy two-birds-one-stone. Having regular maintenance checks performed makes for quick, cost-efficient repairs that can prevent any further issues arising with your surfaces.