Asphalt driveways are a popular choice for homeowners because they are affordable and easy to maintain. However, if not properly taken care of, asphalt driveways can start to crack and deteriorate. No one wants to look out their window or walk outside and see their driveway cracked.Â
Asphalting Sydney owner Leanne Diggins explains that cracks on asphalt pavements eventually occur as a result of sunlight degradation along with temperature changes that cause expansion and contraction of the material that makes the driveway. This is the first thing people see when they approach your home. It is important not to let cracks form on this external surface because they can lead to bigger problems in the future if left alone for too long.
Here are tips to help prevent cracking on your asphalt driveway.
- Properly grade your driveway before installation. This means making sure that it is sloped correctly so water will drain away from the driveway instead of pooling upon it.
- Use a good quality sealant or asphalt coating after installation. This will help protect the driveway from weathering and UV damage.
- Avoid parking cars on the driveway during hot weather conditions, as this can cause the asphalt to soften and crack.
- Keep the driveway clear of leaves, sticks, and other debris, as these can damage the surface of the asphalt.
- Use a snowplough to remove snow from the driveway in the winter, and avoid using rock salt or de-icing chemicals, which can damage the asphalt.
- Inspect the driveway for cracks regularly and have a reliable contractor repair them as soon as possible.
- Make sure your car tires are properly inflated to avoid creating tire tracks that can damage the asphalt.
- Avoid driving or parking on the edge of the driveway, where it is more likely to crack.
- If you have a basketball hoop or other structure installed in the driveway, make sure to avoid driving over it when you are parking your car.
- Have any damage caused by tree roots repaired as soon as possible. This includes holes in the asphalt that are large enough for a small child to fit into. Tree root damage can cause serious cracking in the asphalt surface of your driveway.
- When parking on your driveway during cold weather, make sure your wheels are turned slightly towards the edge of the drive so they don’t create deep tyre tracks in the ice or snow when they melt away again in warmer weather.
- If you have heavy vehicles regularly parked on your asphalt driveway (such as trucks or trailers), then it may be wise to install an extra layer of pavement under the top layer of asphalt.
- Use a driveway sealant to ensure your driveway remains waterproof.
- Ensure the asphalt is at least three inches thick, otherwise, it can crack more easily as a result of changes in temperature and weather conditions.
- Install a brick edging along the driveway to prevent damage from mowers or other equipment.
- Avoid using salt on your driveways, as this can cause cracks and make the surface rough and uneven over time. Ice melt products are less harmful for use on driveways, but it’s best to avoid them as well if you want to protect your asphalt from damage over the long term.
- Avoid parking heavy vehicles such as box trucks or trailers on your asphalt driveway, or try adding an extra layer of pavement.
- Work to ensure your driveway is free from cracks, holes, uneven surfaces and other damage as soon as possible. This can prevent injuries if someone should fall by tripping over a crack or hole.
- Avoid the use of salt on driveways, as this can cause cracks in the surface over time. Ice melt products are less harmful for use on driveways, but it’s best to avoid them as well if you want to protect your asphalt from damage over the long term.
- Keep your car tires inflated properly to avoid damaging the surface of the asphalt when driving over it.