Keeping your home’s exterior looking good is a full-time job. Something always needs repairs or maintenance. The front side of most homes is the show side and the side that passersby see day after day. Driveways are also huge parts of the aesthetics of a house, but most people don’t realize it. Aside from the house itself, the driveway is one of the largest part of any property. When it starts to look bad, it can make the entire property look bad. That’s why we have put together some asphalt maintenance tips you need to know. Maintaining your driveway will keep your home looking nice and save you costly replacement costs later.
Everything lasts longer if it gets regular cleanings, even an asphalt driveway. Set aside a day every month to clean your driveway. You can make it a part of other outdoor maintenance—it shouldn’t take all day. Regular cleaning that includes blowing excess debris off the driveway will extend its life by years. If you see spots from gas, oil, or transmission fluid, get those off fast. Those corrosive liquids can do a lot of damage if left unattended. Spread sand or kitty litter on them to soak them up and mitigate the damage.
You don’t need to be a construction worker to make repairs on a driveway. The average homeowner can and should repair minor cracks and holes themselves. Suppliers of asphalt tools and patching materials will have everything you need to make necessary repairs. Fill potholes and cracks to keep water from getting into and under the asphalt. If that happens, the water will erode the subgrade, turn into ice, and crack apart the driveway from underneath and within. Don’t let the repairs sit until next season—tackle them right away.
The number one asphalt maintenance tip you need to know is sealcoating. Sealcoating is like putting a protective forcefield over your driveway. It keeps water out, makes the asphalt look fresh and clean, and protects against the elements and sun. Professionals can seal your driveway in a few hours, and the difference is pronounced. A driveway that gets a semiannual sealing will last years longer than one that doesn’t.
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