Paving your driveway is an important job. Keeping that job in good condition is just as important. Here are some things you should AND shouldn’t do after the paving is done.
DO Give the Asphalt Time to Cure
It’s important to understand that asphalt typically takes a full year to completely cure. That doesn’t mean that you can’t drive on the asphalt for a year, of course. Once the asphalt fully dries and begins the curing process you’ll be good to go. You’ll need to monitor the driveway until the process is fully complete.
DON’T Drive on Fresh Asphalt for 24 Hours
During this critical period your asphalt will still be relatively soft and will be susceptible to being impacted by the weight of vehicles. While you should be able to safely drive on your driveway after 24 hours, in some cases you may want to wait as many as 48 to 72 hours.
DO Keep the Driveway Clear of Snow & Water
Water and asphalt can be mortal enemies. Even the best cared-for asphalt driveways will feature pores. During the winter months, water that is able to penetrate into these pores can freeze and harden.
DON’T Let Weeds and Plants Creep Up
Keep an eye along the edges of your driveway to ensure that the growth of weeds won’t hinder your recently completed asphalt paving project. Apply a weed killer right away and pull existing weeds up by the roots.
DO Seal Coat Every Few Years
Once the driveway has fully cured, it’s in your best interest to apply a seal coat that will help to seal out moisture and prevent fading. After the initial seal coat has been applied, you’ll need to re-seal every 2-5 years.
DON’T Ignore Small Cracks and Fissures
As soon as they are detected, you should visit a asphalt paving professional to purchase the materials necessary for patching up the area. Failure to do so could mean that you end up spending a lot of time and cash on fixing up a large pothole later on. This could even cause your driveway to need to be completely overhauled and repaved before the end of its expected lifespan. Do a quick spot check of your driveway at least once every other week.
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