Want to make your asphalt last longer? In this blog post, we share 8 easy tips to help you do just that. We'll cover everything from the basics of keeping your asphalt clean to the benefits of regular sealcoating. Whether you're taking care of a spacious parking lot or your home driveway, these tips will help you keep your asphalt in great shape for years to come.

8 Asphalt Maintenance Tips

1.Cleanup Debris or Spills Promptly

*Low Spot that pools water and erodes subbase further*

Maintaining a clean asphalt surface is not just about aesthetics—it's crucial for its longevity and functionality. A quick background, asphalt is just a bunch of rocks compacted together. Over time the rocks on the surface start to separate from slab and become loose gravel on the surface. This Debris acts like sandpaper and significantly accelerates the deterioration of your asphalt. As cars drive over the loose sand it will cause other sand and rocks in the slab to break loose. This can be seen in really old parking lots. As you walk around there are small sand piles all over the lot. This is the sand that comes up naturally over time. Moreover, spills, particularly oil, not only stain but can also weaken the asphalt, making it more susceptible to damage.

Importance of Immediate Cleanup to Prevent Surface Deterioration

Promptly removing debris and spills is crucial. If not taken care of, the oil and sand can damage the seal coat on asphalt, making it more susceptible to weather damage. Swift cleanup of oil and blowing off the lot at least quarterly helps avoid the deterioration of the surface, guaranteeing your asphalt stays smooth, secure, and aesthetically pleasing.

2.Drain Water Effectively

Good water drainage is crucial for asphalt surfaces to last long and stay strong. Understanding the role of proper drainage systems can prevent a myriad of issues that compromise asphalt's durability and functionality.

The Importance of Proper Asphalt Drainage

Standing water is the nemesis of asphalt driveways and pavements. It poses a significant threat to the structural integrity of these surfaces. When water pools, it seeps into small cracks, slowly breaking down the oils that hold asphalt together. Over time, this process can lead to the formation of cracks and potholes, degrading the pavement faster than its design life.

Worse than deteriorating oils, water can seep under asphalt and make the foundation shift or sink, causing serious structural issues. This is commonly how we get alligator cracking. The freeze-thaw cycle makes these problems worse. Water gets into the asphalt, freezes, and expands, causing more damage. Addressing standing water is vital for the long term health of your asphalt.

3.Fill Asphalt Cracks Immediately

*Crack where water is eroding subbase and causing Alligatoring*

Timely action is crucial for asphalt maintenance, particularly with crack filling. Small cracks can quickly evolve into significant problems if not addressed promptly. Here’s why immediate repair is necessary and how Regional Groundwork can assist:

Preventing Further Damage

Cracks in asphalt allow water and humidity to get into the pavement's subbase, causing more than just surface damage. Once moisture gets below the asphalt, it can cause widespread damage, starting with sinkholes and expanding into alligator cracking. Both are the precursor to the formation of potholes. Filling cracks early stops water damage and prevents more problems. This reduces the risk of further damage.

Don't let small cracks become significant problems. Contact an asphalt crack filling specialist, to protect and prolong the life of your pavement.

4.Investment in Quality Maintenance Materials

Choosing high-quality materials and committing to regular maintenance are foundational to the longevity and durability of asphalt surfaces. Let's explore why this investment matters and the role of a trusted contractor in this process.

The Necessity of High-Quality Materials

Asphalt, while durable, isn't immune to the wear and tear of environmental conditions. We’ve covered this multiple times now, exposure to the sun, rain, and changing temperatures can slowly damage surfaces in various climates over time.

Utilizing premium materials in the construction and repair of asphalt surfaces is essential to withstand these elements effectively. Choosing quality materials is primarily done by verifying the contractor isn’t changing the product you’re receiving from the manufacturer. Contractors applying materials should never be “cutting” material with water. They should be using the material exactly from the manufacturer and how the manufacturer recommends the application.

Regular Maintenance: Extending Lifespan

Routine maintenance is of utmost importance. It keeps the surface smooth and prevents damage by addressing issues before they become serious.

Small repairs and timely interventions, such as crack filling, sealcoating, and fixing low spots to improve proper drainage, are vital. These efforts help to prevent major distresses, extending the service life of your pavement considerably. Regular upkeep ensures your asphalt remains in optimal condition, safeguarding your investment and avoiding costly overhauls.

The Role of a Trusted Asphalt Contractor

Partnering with a reputable asphalt repair contractor is key to ensuring the quality and longevity of your pavement. A trusted contractor brings expertise, high-quality materials, and a commitment to excellence in maintenance practices. They can provide helpful advice on what your pavement needs, create custom maintenance plans, and make high-quality repairs.

5.Potholes: Address Them Early

*Alligatoring turning into potholes since patching was not done earlier in asphalt life*

Potholes are more than visually unappealing; they're a clear sign of deeper problems with asphalt surfaces and threat to vehicle safety. Understanding their impact and addressing them promptly is crucial for commercial property owners and local governments.

The Problem With Asphalt Potholes

When water collects in potholes and freezes, it exacerbates the damage, creating hazardous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians. The responsibility to maintain safe conditions in parking lots and roads falls heavily on property owners. Ignoring potholes not only risks the integrity of the asphalt but also the safety of those who use it.

Potholes start small but can get much bigger, ranging from basketball-sized to several feet wide as they grow over time. Large potholes can cause vehicles to jolt or even lose control, posing serious risks to drivers. Furthermore, potholes surrounded by extensive alligator cracking signal severe deterioration, indicating that without intervention, the asphalt may require complete replacement.

Early Intervention is Key

Addressing potholes at the first sign of damage is imperative. Early action can stop damage from getting worse, protecting the pavement and keeping road users safe. For property owners contemplating repairs, a comprehensive guide on pothole repair can provide valuable insights into effective solutions.

There are two types of fixes that can be done for potholes, a short term and a long term fix.

Short Term Fix:

The short term fix we call fill and compact. It’s where we take asphalt, we put it into the hole, compact it and walk away. This is a very short term fix. This type of fix is usually very cheap and makes the hole drivable in the near term. You can guarantee you’ll need to fix it again in the near future. This solution is usually chosen when maintenance budgets are small and something has to be done about the hole.

Long Term Fix:

The long term fix is usually more expensive, but it's like installing a new parking lot over the area being addressed. Usually this consists of saw cutting straight lines around the hole, pulling the asphalt out using special equipment, stabilizing the sub base, and laying and compacting new asphalt. This new asphalt will usually last as long as the surrounding parking lot if the underlying problem was fixed. Usually the underlying problem was a bad crack, a low area, bad drainage, or a water leak under the parking lot.

For expert assistance in pothole repair and maintenance, contact Regional Groundwork’s Asphalt Repair Services. Ensure your parking lots and driveways are safe and in top condition with professional, high-quality repair services.

6.Protect Your Parking Lot Edges

*Sand on Parking Lot from years of wear*

Reinforcing the edges of your parking lot is crucial for both its longevity and aesthetics. This is primarily for owners who do not have a curb and gutter around their lot. If this is you, here’s how you can achieve this and why it matters:

One effective method to safeguard your asphalt parking lot edges is through thoughtful landscaping. Consider adding new soil or using rock or stone to match the height of the lot after installation. This will provide a more durable solution.

Both options can enhance the overall look and functionality of the lot. This approach not only prevents the edges from crumbling but also seamlessly integrates the driveway with the surrounding landscape.

The Importance of Edge Protection

Protecting the edges of your lot is important to prevent damage and excessive maintenance down the road. The damage will come from erosion. Parking lots are designed to shed water. Whenever it leaves the lot, if it’s not going into a designed water drainage system it will erode the soil, subbase, and areas around the edges of the lot. The erosion of edges will cause alligatoring, potholes, and excess deterioration of your lot. Generally, causing it to fail and need extra maintenance as time marches on.

7.Routine Asphalt Inspection

The key to prolonging the life of your asphalt is early detection and addressing potential issues. Regular inspections catch small issues like cracks or potholes early, preventing costly major repairs in the future. Being proactive saves money and extends pavement life, keeping it safe and looking good.

Regular check-ups can find hidden problems that may cause future issues, even if they are not easily visible. By finding issues early, you can better plan maintenance for your asphalt to keep it in good condition.

The Role of Expert Asphalt Contractors

Engaging a professional asphalt contractor for these inspections is crucial. Experts have the skills and tools to do evaluations and understand the results accurately, and the inspections should be free. You want a contractor who will offer detailed insights into the pavement's condition, recommend precise maintenance or repair strategies, and identify any preventative measures to mitigate future deterioration.

A skilled contractor will inspect the condition of the asphalt and give you options for short term and long term maintenance. The goal is giving you options that will match your budget and property goals. They will also consider its history, usage, and environmental factors. These factors can affect how long the asphalt will last. This method looks at all parts of the pavement's condition to create better maintenance plans that are focused and efficient with your budget dollars.

Routine asphalt inspections by a qualified contractor are an investment in the longevity and safety of your pavement and should be done with no cost to you.

8.Sealcoating: A Key to Longevity

Sealcoating stands as a critical defender of asphalt, essential for extending its lifespan and enhancing curb appeal. It helps protect your pavement from damage, keeping it looking good and working well. Sealcoating ensures your asphalt surfaces are safe, smooth, and visually attractive, significantly boosting curb appeal.

Discover the benefits of sealcoating for your asphalt surfaces by reading our guide on "What is Sealcoating and Benefits."

While understanding the benefits of sealcoating is vital, recognizing the need for professional application is equally crucial. Expert sealcoating services use the correct material and application methods tailored to your pavement's specific needs to ensure quality. Experts apply a protective coat to asphalt to protect it from water, sun, and spills, keeping it strong and durable.

How Regional Groundwork Can Help

At Regional Groundwork, we understand that maintaining the integrity and appearance of your asphalt surfaces is paramount. We designed our comprehensive suite of asphalt maintenance services to protect, preserve, and enhance your investment. Here’s how we can assist:

If you need sealcoating or asphalt repair, Regional Groundwork is the best choice. They can protect your pavement and keep it in good condition.

Our team has many years of experience in asphalt sealcoating and paving. We provide customized solutions for your property's unique challenges. We are transparent and offer customized solutions. You will get detailed quotes on-site to help you make informed decisions about your asphalt maintenance needs.

Learn how Regional Groundwork can help protect and prolong the life of your asphalt, keeping it safe, functional, and looking good. Check out our service pages for more information. Discover the difference our expertise can make for your property today.

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How Can I Make My Asphalt Last Longer?