Asphalt Care and Maintenance Recommendations for Your New Residential Driveway
Asphalt makes a durable and attractive surface for your home and landscaping exterior. Asphalt is a flexible surface that can last years with the right maintenance and care. Here are some recommendations for your new asphalt driveway to protect it and make it last for years.
Follow Installation Guidelines
When you have a newly-installed asphalt driveway on your property, you need to follow some basic guidelines to keep it protected, especially during its first few days. Your asphalt driveway is going to be soft and pliable the first several days so don't drive over it for a couple days and don't park on it for at least five days.
And if you have a hot summer, be careful that you don't park on its surface because it can cause dents to form over the surface of the asphalt. You can protect it from heat dents by spraying it off with a hose during the hottest parts of the day. Also, rotate your parking location for the first few weeks and months as it fully hardens so you prevent dent damage to the surface.
Actively Protect the Surface
After you have taken the immediate precautions with caring for the first few days and weeks of your asphalt driveway, you will need to use diligent care in its surface for long-term protection. Be careful you don't let any vehicle fluids, such as transmission fluid, gasoline, oil, power steering fluid, or antifreeze spill on your asphalt driveway. The reason for this is that the asphalt within your new driveway is made of petroleum-based materials, so if you allow it to come in contact with vehicle fluids, it will soften and destroy the surface.
If you are planning to change the oil in your vehicle, don't complete the job directly on your asphalt. Select another nearby surface or cover the asphalt with a large heavy-duty tarp to collect any accidental spills. If any area of your asphalt does become exposed to vehicle fluids, soak up the excess fluids immediately with kitty litter or oil clean-up pads then clean the solution from the surface with a degreaser soap, water, and a scrub brush. Spray the area fully with your garden hose or a pressure washer, making sure all the residual cleaning solutions and fluids are rinsed fully from the area.
If you discover any spills that were left untreated, you can remove the section of asphalt from your driveway with a concrete cutter and a shovel. Replace the area with a mixture of asphalt patch filler. Call a paving contractor to get help with asphalt maintenance.