Tips to Protect Your Asphalt Pavement

When properly installed, asphalt pavement can last for many years. As such, you want to ensure that your asphalt – whether in your residential driveway or business parking lot – is laid by a reliable company. However, the longevity of your pavement doesn’t solely depend on construction. It is also determined by how much effort you put into maintenance.

Asphalt is known to deteriorate quickly when not protected against the elements. Thus, your maintenance needs to include routines to defend it against the sun’s heat, ice, rain, and even the wear and tear caused by traffic.

You need to choose a reliable asphalt paving company if you want long-lasting asphalt pavement. The quality of your pavement starts with the installation. Hence, you must seek a contractor with a proven track record of high-quality results. Along the way, you can reinforce your asphalt by doing proper and regular maintenance. Simple maintenance works will prolong the lifespan of your pavement.

How to Protect Your Asphalt Pavement in Winter

Temperature is one factor that contributes to asphalt’s deterioration, and winter can be the most devastating. If you’re neglecting your asphalt pavement during this time, you can expect to spend a lot on repairs once the snow melts. So here are some tips on protecting your asphalt during cold days.

*Editors note:  Although Anderson & Son’s Asphalt is located in Pinellas County, Florida, we have included tips in the article for asphalt maintenance world-wide, including in freezing climates.  

• Carefully inspect the pavement before winter starts. If you have no know-how, hiring a professional to check on your pavement before the first snow falls is vital. They can tell you if any issue needs to be addressed immediately.
• Avoid using salt. In most cases, people use salt to remove snow from the pavement’s surface. However, this will damage your asphalt. Make sure to use commercial de-icing solutions, especially on parking lots.
• Shovel and remove debris. Do not wait for the snow to build up on your pavement. Make sure to shovel the snow and other debris to avoid burdening the pavement with unnecessary weight and causing breakage.
• Don’t let the ice melt. Once the snow starts falling on the surface, remove them, and don’t let them thaw and refreeze. This can cause significant damage to the pavement’s foundation.
• Sealant is important. Apply sealant to your asphalt pavement to protect it against snow, water, and other debris.

How to Protect Your Asphalt Pavement in Summer

The sun’s UV rays and the summer heat can be as troublesome to your asphalt pavement. And since blacktops absorb a lot of heat, it can make your asphalt dry and brittle, which leads to weak spots and subsurface damage.

• Inspecting your pavement is vital. Extreme heat can aggravate underlying issues on your asphalt pavement. Hence, it is good to inspect it before the summer starts. Check for even the most minor cracks and imperfections. These small damages can lead to more significant problems when neglected and exacerbated by extreme weather.
• Clean the pavement regularly. This is important, especially if you are managing a parking space. Debris can blow across the surface and get driven over; crushed debris can cause the asphalt to break and cause structural damage.
• Prevent water pool. Just like crushed debris, pooling water can impact your pavement negatively. When water collects and stays on the surface for too long, it can erode the asphalt.
• Perform regular maintenance. Once you’ve identified any issues on your asphalt, make sure to have them repaired. A small problem can cause worse problems and get more expensive to fix as time goes on. Take the time to clean up all debris and oil stains, fill in cracks and potholes, and restripe if it’s a parking lot.

Asphalt Sealcoating

One of the best methods to extend the life of your asphalt is the application of sealcoating to surface.  Asphalt sealcoating adds a thin protective layer to the top of the asphalt to help protect and preserve it.  The sealcoating is also a very dark, almost shiny substance once dried and leaves the area looking much newer than even a brand new layer of asphalt alone.

Call in the Professionals!

Both summer and winter can wreak havoc on your asphalt pavement – whether it’s a driveway or a commercial space. The tips above are great to follow to avoid any costly problems. However, more significant issues like potholes on your asphalt will need expert solutions.

And if you need expert asphalt services in Pinellas County, Tampa, and Clearwater, Anderson & Sons Asphalt is the place to call. We have vast experience in residential and commercial asphalt paving and a talented team that always gets the job done right!