Maintaining your newly paved driveway means that you can make it last many more years and keep it in good shape for decades into the future. Using protective measures should be planned out for the first few weeks after the project is completed. A newly paved driveway will need to cure for 90 to 120 days. The asphalt will be set during this period. Giving your asphalt a longer curing process with minimal heavy vehicle traffic or placing heavy objects on top of it, will help the surface withstand the weight of vehicles in the future. Using a proper maintenance plan, you can ensure that your driveway stays in tip-top condition for years to come.
Having a well-maintained driveway is also one of the first things that your visitors will notice about your business or home. However, this becomes even more important if you are trying to sell your property. This first impression of your property is influenced greatly by the condition of your driveway. But, your home’s curb appeal is not the only thing that matters. If your driveway is in poor condition, it can also act as a big safety hazard for anyone who is walking or driving over it.
What Can Damage a Freshly Paved Driveway?
Having a beautiful, well-maintained driveway is something many people take for granted. That is, until it looks like it is in poor condition. One of the keys to maintaining your driveway is to keep early and regular attention on it. There are some important things to remember that can help contribute to damage of your driveway:
- If there is excessive moisture and water is left to pool it can penetrate through the surface, wash away solvents and speed up the deterioration;
- Weeds, tree roots and grasses can start to grow in the cracks and potholes, so you should get in contact with your paver immediately if you start to see this happening on any newly paved driveway;
- Vehicle traffic and parking. It’s a good idea to keep vehicles, trailers, RVs or boats parked on top of pieces of wood to prevent them from sinking into the asphalt;
- Depending on what time of year you get your paving done, hotter weather can cause asphalt to soften, which makes it more vulnerable to damage. On the other hand, temperatures that drop to zero or below can freeze the curing process, which will stop and then continue in the spring;
- Any gas or oil spills will cause asphalt to deteriorate. It’s best to clean up any spills immediately using detergent and warm water;
- Snow and ice should also be removed quickly, and other debris like piles of leaves could damage the surface.
Doing your best to protect a newly paved driveway is worth it. Just a bit of prevention goes a long way in making sure that your asphalt driveway will last a very long time.