Do you have an asphalt pavement to take care of? Do you want it to stay in excellent condition so that you can enjoy its benefits for many years to come? If so, be sure to read carefully. Here are some easy yet highly effective upkeep tricks when it comes to asphalt pavements, such as driveways and parking areas.
Asphalt is easily one of the most common paving materials used in public roads, private properties, and industrial and commercial complexes like factories. It is easy to source and flexible in terms of applications, and it can be easy to maintain. With such excellent traits, there are essential benefits to keep asphalt pavements in perfect condition.
Here are four ways on how you can protect your asphalt pavements and maintain their great shape:
- Call a professional asphalt repair company. There would be inevitable damages that your asphalt pavements would suffer from through the years. That is pretty natural as even the toughest paving material would, at some point, succumb to natural wear and tear or damages caused by other factors like vehicle traffic. No matter what damage your pavement has, be sure to quickly call a trusted company specializing in asphalt repair services in Utah. By doing so, you can avoid further damages to the pavement and keep your wallet safe from preventable maintenance woes.
- Protect against water damages. Water is, by far, among the top enemies of asphalt. Over time, waterlogged asphalt pavements can weaken and become highly susceptible to cracking, potholes, and degradation. What are the remedies? First, you should apply a seal coat that will protect the pavement against UV rays, oil, snow, and of course, water. You can also repair the potholes and ensure that your driveway and other asphalt pavements have proper drainage to prevent water from forming puddles that damage the asphalt.
- Seal cracks after every season. Cracks are pretty commonplace in any type of asphalt pavement. However, that doesn’t mean that you’ll shrug things off and let them go unrepaired. Instead, be sure to have the cracks sealed adequately after every season ends, like following winter and summer. By doing this simple step, you can protect the pavements from further damages; plus, you can easily extend their lifespan.
- During winter, go easy on de-icing products. Is it winter yet? Well, regardless if it’s winter right now or it’s a few seasons away, be sure to remember not to be trigger-happy in applying de-icing products to keep snow at bay in your driveway or parking area. A lot of de-icing products (like rock salt) have properties that tend to weaken the binding agent found in asphalt, thus ruining its integrity and causing cracks or potholes. If you must de-ice, settle for potassium chloride as it will not penetrate the asphalt surface and cause problems with the asphalt’s integrity.
Asphalt pavements can last longer if properly maintained—a task that falls on your hands. Follow these tricks, and you’ll surely enjoy years of service from your asphalt pavements.
