Asphalt Maintenance: Steps To Increase The Longevity Of Your Pavement

Several factors have an effect on the lifespan of your asphalt pavement, including:

• Type of soil under the base of the pavement
• The freeze cycles
• Traffic and regularity of use

Experts recommend regular asphalt maintenance to get the most out of this significant investment. Check out these tips to understand how to extend the life of your asphalt driveway.

Control Traffic Loads

Heavy traffic puts your driveway at risk of premature deterioration. Pavement fatigue results from progressive damage caused by exposure to heavy loads and traffic—more than the pavement can handle. The asphalt surface starts to bend and eventually breaks, causing premature wear and tear on these stress areas.

At first, you may notice minor cracks that allow moisture to seep into the asphalt's base. If the cracks aren't fixed sooner, more water penetrates to the bottom layer, causing more surface fatigue and more irreparable damage. You might be forced to replace the asphalt pavement, which can be pretty costly.

So, how do you manage traffic loads?

Reduce Contact Pressure

Wheel loads and tire pressure are huge culprits of pavement fatigue. You can limit the effects by lowering tire pressure on heavy vehicles such as trucks. This step reduces the vertical stresses on the driveway, ensuring minimal chances of fatigue.

Speed Management

A slow-moving heavy vehicle is more likely to cause permanent pavement damage. Avoid driving overloaded vehicles at unreasonably low speeds to reduce the impact on your driveway.

Sealcoating

Asphalt pavements take a lot of pressure and abuse over time. Besides heavy traffic and constant use, the pavements have to deal with harsh UV rays, rain and snow, cold snaps, and hot temperatures. Over time, these elements cause the top layer of the asphalt to break down, leading to pavement failure.

Thankfully, things get better with seal coating, which aims to protect your pavement from harsh elements and maximize its lifespan. Here's how seal coating helps you achieve this.

Prevent Moisture Damages

A seal coat works more like a barrier to prevent water from reaching the innermost parts of the asphalt surface, improving your pavement's longevity and functionality.

Protect the Surface from Oil Spillage

You can't always avoid automobile oil spills on a driveway, but you can control the effect of these spills. The chemicals from oil spillage will break down the pavement's structure and ruin its aesthetic appeal. Seal coating prevents the oils from penetrating the base of the asphalt and gives you a chance to get rid of the oil before it causes unintentional damage.