If you are a homeowner, you know how important it is to keep your driveway in good condition. A properly sealed and maintained driveway not only adds to the overall aesthetic of your property but also helps maintain its value. Nevertheless, many everyday things can damage your asphalt driveway if you aren’t careful.
Poor Drainage
Poor drainage is one of the most common causes of asphalt driveway damage. In cases where there isn’t enough slope for water to easily flow away from the asphalt, it can pool and cause erosion or even create potholes on the surface. To prevent this from happening, ensure that your driveway has a consistent slope towards a drainage system or ditch, and check for any signs of erosion or potholes regularly.
Oil Spills
Oil spills can cause significant damage to an asphalt driveway because they break down the binder that holds together the sand and gravel particles that make up the surface of an asphalt driveway. It’s best to avoid this problem, use absorbent materials whenever possible when working with oil around your driveway and immediately clean up any spills as soon as they occur.
Tree Roots
Tree roots can also cause damage to an asphalt driveway because they tend to grow underneath it and push it up from below, creating bumps or cracking in the surface of the asphalt over time. Ideally, the best way to avoid this problem is by regularly trimming back tree roots and making sure that your tree lines are at least 10 feet away from any part of your driveway so that their root systems have less opportunity to affect it.
Heavy Traffic
Another thing that can cause damage to an asphalt driveway is heavy traffic such as large trucks or cars with heavy loads driving over it regularly. This type of traffic can cause rutting in the surface, eventually leading to cracks or other types of damage if left unaddressed for too long. The best way to reduce this type of wear and tear is by limiting heavy traffic on your driveway and having it resurfaced periodically by a professional contractor if necessary.
Snow Plowing
Last but not least, snow plowing can damage an asphalt driveway because it uses blades which scrape across the surface and can wear down its protective layer over time if done too frequently or without proper technique. To reduce this risk, ensure that anyone who plows snow off of your property has experience doing so with an asphalt driveway specifically and be sure to use products such as de-icing salts sparingly during winter months so as not to further worsen any existing damage on the driveway.
Asphalt driveways are great investments for homeowners because they add value and durability but only when taken care of properly! Be sure to watch out for these 5 common causes of damage so you can keep yours looking great for years! If you notice any signs of wear or tear on your driveway give the experts at Asphalt Sealing a call. With years of experience under our belts, we’ll ensure that your driveway looks its best at all times. Contact us today online or call us at 647-812-7845.