Spring is often seen as a time of renewal and rebirth, and your asphalt should be no exception. The winter months can be harsh, considering a combination of ice, snow, and rain could cause cracks, erosion, and general wear and tear to asphalt surfaces.
As the snow melts away, it’s a good idea to perform routine maintenance to help keep your asphalt looking and functioning at its best. This article will explore some maintenance steps you can take now to ensure your asphalt stays in top shape.
Maintenance Tips
Keep your driveway, parking lot, or patio area looking amazing with these helpful maintenance tips.
Perform a Thorough Inspection
Once winter is done, it’s important to assess the condition of your asphalt. Start with a thorough visual inspection and note any cracks or potholes that may have formed over the winter months.
This is a good first step as it can help you identify what course of action to take moving forward.
Fill in Cracks and Potholes
Small cracks in asphalt can easily become larger when exposed to natural elements like snow and rain. To prevent this from happening, you should fill these small cracks with an appropriate material as soon as possible. Any potholes should also be filled to prevent further damage.
Practice Periodic Seal Coating
Practice periodic seal coating to help keep your pavements in top condition and prevent cracks from occurring.
Seal coating involves applying a protective layer of material to your asphalt surface. This can help protect against environmental factors such as UV rays, oil spills, and other contaminants that could cause your asphalt to deteriorate over time.
Clean and Remove Debris
It’s also important to keep your asphalt free of debris. This can be done by regularly sweeping away any dirt, leaves, or other debris built up over the winter months. Removing this debris will help keep the surface clean and in great condition.
Touch Up Your Striping
Striping is an important part of asphalt maintenance, as it helps to provide guidance and delineate parking spaces. Over time, the lines may fade due to natural wear and tear or weather conditions.
To keep your striping looking fresh, you should go over them with touch-up paint now and then. This will ensure your pavements look neat and professional.
Check Your Drainage System
While not directly related, your drainage system can have an indirect impact on the condition of your asphalt.
Inspect the gutters and downspouts around your property to ensure they are not blocked or damaged. This can help prevent water from pooling or draining onto your asphalt surface, which could cause it to degrade over time.
Importance of Spring Maintenance
The main benefit of performing spring maintenance on your pavements is to help prevent serious damage from occurring. While small cracks may seem like minor issues initially, leaving them unattended can lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Regular asphalt maintenance will help maintain its aesthetic appeal and prevent any safety issues due to uneven surfaces or potholes. The latter is especially detrimental since you can be held liable for injuries on your property due to negligence in upkeep.
Invest in Professional Maintenance
Some repairs are best left to the experts. Going DIY may seem tempting at first, but if you don’t have the right materials and experience, it can lead to more problems down the road. If the condition of your asphalt is more than you feel comfortable handling yourself, it’s a good idea to invest in professional maintenance services.
Holloway Paving can come and assess the condition of your asphalt, repair any damaged areas, seal coat surfaces, and give general advice on how best to maintain it moving forward.
