Asphalt driveways are one of the aspects of a property that homeowners are first attracted to. They are hard-wearing and long-lasting, but they need regular maintenance to keep them in good order. One of the most common problems with asphalt is potholes — deep divots that can damage vehicles or even cause a car accident if a tire falls into one unexpectedly.
According to asphalt driveways Sydney owner Leanne Diggins, a properly maintained asphalt drive should last a homeowner between 20 and 25 years, depending on factors such as climate, traffic flow and care taken by the owner. As spring comes around and summer is on its way, many homeowners will be starting up their lawn mowers and weed eaters for the first time of the season. While this means more things will get done around your yard, it can also result in damaged asphalt driveways if not taken care of properly during the winter months.
Here are a few simple tips for homeowners to learn how to avoid potholes in their asphalt driveway this summer.
Preventative Measures
Remember to apply a fresh coat of sealant on your asphalt drive every three years or so, which will help protect it from cracking and other forms of damage that can happen during the winter months due to the cold weather. It is also important to know that not all temperature changes are bad for your driveway, as rain and warm weather can make your asphalt driveway stronger and longer-lasting by preventing cracks and other problems like potholes from forming.
Monitor
One of the most helpful things you can do when trying to prevent potholes in your driveway is simply keeping an eye on it throughout the winter months. If you notice a crack forming, simply fill it with an asphalt crack filler and smooth it over until the next time you have to repave that area of your driveway. Doing this as soon as possible will help prevent those cracks from becoming large enough to turn into full-fledged potholes.
Parking
In addition, always remember to park your car on your lawn when it is cold out rather than leaving it out on the asphalt driveway overnight or for extended periods. This can cause serious damage to any areas that haven’t been sealed properly, thus resulting in potholes sooner than they might otherwise form naturally during warmer weather.
Sealant
There are also products specifically designed for keeping your asphalt driveway in top shape throughout the winter months. These sealants vary in price, but most are not so expensive. These substances can keep your driveway looking brand new for years to come if applied correctly by a professional resurfacing company.
Repair
If you do happen to notice any potholes forming on your asphalt driveway, immediately repair them with cold mix asphalt before the problem becomes worse. You’ll save yourself both money and time in the long run if you can fix these minor problems before they turn into something major that will require full-scale repaving of your entire driveway.
Pressure Washer
In addition, make sure your pressure washer is always ready to go should you notice something on your asphalt that needs repairing or cleaning up. This way, potholes can be fixed faster and more efficiently rather than having to wait for a day when it isn’t raining or too cold out to do anything productive around your home.
Simple Fixes
Lastly, always remember that not all potholes need to be filled with cold mix asphalt. Some smaller or shallower cracks can often be repaired simply by filling them with a mixture of sand and gravel before adding a thin layer of asphalt over the top to keep them from coming back. This is especially helpful for small potholes that have been filled multiple times already, as this mixture will hold better than plain old cold mix asphalt until you have time to get proper repairs done on your driveway.
