BEST TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR NEW ASPHALT DRIVEWAY
Get the most life out of your new asphalt driveway by following some basic tips and precautions.
Do not drive on your asphalt driveway for 24 hours.
For the first year, be sure to always keep your vehicle moving while turning. Avoid sitting still and turning your steering wheel. This can grind the surface if repeated. This is especially important in temperatures above 80 degrees.
If you have Zoysia or Chickweed grass, be sure to keep it away from your driveway’s edges. These types of grass have roots that spread out horizontally and can “burrow” into your pavement; causing holes in the asphalt. Keep it edged with a line trimmer or herbicide.
If your edges have more than an inch exposed, it is a good idea to “back-fill” those edges with soil or crushed aggregate to support the edge and deter erosion beneath the asphalt pavement.
Be sure not to drive your vehicle off your driveway’s exposed edges if they are not back-filled. Also avoid parking vehicles for extended amounts of time within 6 inches of an edge. Sinking may occur.
If a vehicle or heavy object is to be placed on your driveway for an extended amount of time, periodically move it around or place a piece of plywood under the object to disperse loads that cause sinking.
Avoid spilling fuels or oils on your driveway. They will soak into the pavement and cause the asphalt cement to lose adhesion.
Any cracks that may develop should be filled prior to winter time. Cracks that develop within 1 year of installation are generally symptoms of expansive soils (example: clay). During a drought clay shrinks due to loss of moisture. When that happens it causes cracks or shifting that transmits through the rock base of your driveway; eventually causing a shift or crack in the asphalt surface.
If you decide to seal-coat your driveway, the best time to do it is at least 90 days after its installation. Seal-coating applied prematurely can lock in oils and solvents causing your surface to stay soft and impressionable. Asphalt driveways should be sealed within the first year of their installation to prevent too much oxidation from the sun's UV rays.
Some driveways will need to have seal-coating applied in cooler temperatures. Driveway sealer takes 21 days for a full cure and is susceptible to scuffing while it’s curing, especially in temperatures hotter than 80 degrees. Driveways with tight turn around areas such as rear or side entry should be sealed in cooler temperatures. The aggressive nature of maneuvering a car in and out of a rear entry garage during hot temperatures will cause uncured sealer to scuff and possibly track. You can prevent scuffing of your driveway if you keep your vehicle moving while turning the steering wheel.
If you have other questions or concerns, please feel free to check out our FAQ to see if one of your questions might be answered there.