Tips and Tricks for Proper Driveway Maintenance
Based in Ottawa, Alvi Paving Ltd knows how important it is to take care of your new asphalt driveway. Since asphalt contains liquid tar, it needs time to harden and cure. Your driveway will usually be fully cured within 3-6 months; until then, it will remain pliable and soft. We recommend keeping automobiles off for at least 7 days, and longer in hot weather.
Even when cured, asphalt can sometimes soften in extremely hot weather and harden as temperatures fall. To temporarily harden hot asphalt, you can water it down with a garden hose. Do not be alarmed if soapsuds appear. This is a reaction between the diesel fuel found in asphalt and the chlorine found in some city water.
To avoid scarring, do not pull your vehicle out too fast, pull it in too quickly, or drive too fast on your asphalt driveway. During the initial curing time, don’t park in the same spot all the time, and don’t use a jack stand or car ramps unless you put a piece of plywood underneath to distribute the weight. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when your car is not moving.
Large, heavy vehicles can depress your new asphalt and create ruts in your new blacktop. Keep heavy trucks (concrete, oil, landscaping, etc.) off your new driveway. If a camper or other vehicle will be stored for a long period of time, place plywood under the tongue jack and tires.
Do not walk on your new driveway with high heel shoes, place lawn chairs, bicycle kickstands, or other sharp objects on it, as they will create holes and depressions.
The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to the lack of side support. Do not drive on the edges as they will crack and crumble in time. Building up the sides of your driveway with topsoil will support the edges after grass is grown.
Appearance
Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others because of the makeup of the blacktop. Blacktop is composed of various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients, which cause a varied texture on the surface. In addition, blacktop areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine.
Avoid gasoline, oil, antifreeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills, and leaks. These will dilute the liquid asphalt in your blacktop. Any hole left by these spills should be filled with a cold patch. Any hairline cracks that may develop due to the contraction and expansion of the ground should be filled with crack filler. These products can be purchased from your local building supply or hardware store.
Seal Coating
To preserve your new driveway, it is advisable to seal coat your driveway 3-6 months after it has been paved. Sealing too soon, however, may cause damage to your new driveway. Because the blacktop is naturally porous, water can seep into and through the paving. This not only causes deterioration but also results in ridges and upheaval due to frost and freezing. Asphalt is also softened and broken up by gasoline, lube oil, grease, road salts, and antifreeze drips from cars. Sealers protect blacktop with a coating that is impervious to these harmful elements. Unprotected driveways remain porous, dry out, become rough, and lose their life rapidly.
With proper care, your new driveway will give you many years of service.
Do not hesitate to contact Alvi Paving Ltd in Ottawa if you have any questions. Call us for a free estimate!