When designed and installed correctly, asphalt is a durable choice of material for residential and commercial paving projects. Unfortunately, many people often dismiss the fact that they have to regularly look after their asphalt pavements to make them last as long as possible. As a result, they end up neglecting their asphalt, leading to reduced asphalt lifespan. 

If you're planning an asphalt paving project, you can use these maintenance tips to increase the longevity of your new asphalt. 

Sealcoating your asphalt

To begin with, you shouldn't seal coat a newly paved asphalt surface immediately. Asphalt is an oil-based paving material that can take six months or even longer to fully cure and harden. The harder the asphalt, the more durable it will be, which is the ultimate goal of any pavement installation job.

Once you have allowed your asphalt pavement adequate time to cure properly, apply the initial layer of concrete sealer. This will help protect your asphalt surface from damage by weather elements, such as direct sunlight, rain, snow and ice. Seal coating also helps avoid damage by motor oil spills on driveways.

After the initial seal coating process, you should seal coat your asphalt every one to three years, as an industry standard. How frequently you seal coat your asphalt will depend on how fast the existing coating wears off.

Fixing the cracks in your asphalt 

Whether you like it or not, your new asphalt surfaces will eventually develop cracks. Initially, you'll see hairline cracks (cracks that are less than 1mm deep and wide) appear on the surface of your asphalt. While these small cracks are nothing but a cosmetic issue, they'll become larger if left untreated over time. Large cracks are not only unpleasant to look at but can also cause major structural problems by allowing water seepage through your asphalt pavement. 

The best way to deal with cracking in asphalt is to address them as soon as they arise. Hairline cracks can be repaired by filling them in with asphalt filler or other appropriate patching compounds. Anything deeper and wider than that will require more extensive crack repair, which can be quite expensive and time-consuming.

Taking proper care of your new asphalt pavement is essential for increasing its longevity. The good news is that you don't have to tackle the task yourself. The expert team at an asphalt company near you offer a variety of asphalt maintenance services to cater to your specific needs. Contact an asphalt company for more information. 

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