Your asphalt driveway not just has a functional value but also contributes a lot to the overall curb appeal of your space. Imagine a properly built and maintained driveway that leads to your home, the entire look that it creates is one that we all wish for our home. But on the other hand, a cracked, faded and therefore lifeless driveway would take a toll on the overall aesthetics of your home. So, to help you bring home the stylistic and functional elements that a driveway adds to any space and leave behind all the negative parts, we have brought for you a few tips to care for your asphalt driveways in Melbourne. Follow these tips and pave the way for asphalt driveways that will remain brand-new for the years to come.
1. Engage in regular maintenance work
While the average lifespan of your asphalt driveway is 30 years, it doesn’t mean that you just build it once and it will stay the same for all these years. What you need to do in order to avail of this durability and ensure that your asphalt driveway in Melbourne stands beautiful throughout the years is engage in regular maintenance work. This will also save you from costly driveway repairs or replacements.
- Do a thorough cleaning of your driveway at least twice a year using a hose spray or broom and clear your driveway of any debris.
- With a gap of 2-5 years, seal coat your driveway.
- Say yes to timely repairs. The moment a crack or hole appears in your asphalt driveway, fill and seal them immediately rather than waiting for the gap to widen.
- Inspect your asphalt driveway regularly so as to ensure that you don’t miss out on any maintenance work that requires your attention.
Follow all these steps and your asphalt driveway in Melbourne would stand the test of time and help you save a lot of money in the long run.
2. Protect your driveway with an asphalt seal
Asphalt driveways are prone to normal wear and tear as they are 24*7 exposed to harsh weather conditions outside and their life is not easy considering how frequently their surface comes in contact with the tires of your vehicles. While you cannot do anything about these factors, what you can do is use an asphalt sealer to seal your driveway and give it a protective layer that will offer it resistance against all these external factors. As asphalt contractors in Melbourne, we recommend you use a latex-based sealer. Which is proven to be more effective and prevent your driveway from cracks and potholes which are common in case of unprotected driveways.
3. Minimise oil spills to the maximum extent possible
While driveways are prone to oil or gasoline spills, make sure to make an effort to reduce them to the maximum extent possible. The reason is that constant exposure to oil can deteriorate the surface of your asphalt driveway and lead to fading and eventual cracking. The reason for this is that the oil that is present in asphalt reacts with such spills and the upper layer of your driveway starts to slowly dissolve. While you cannot completely remove the possibility of such spills, what you can do is clean it up immediately using a detergent or rock salt that has a low chemical base. That way you can maintain the look of your asphalt driveways in Melbourne and also save them from any irreparable damages.
4. Prevent standing water in your driveway
Standing water in your driveway is not just a nuisance that we all wish to avoid but is also something that potentially damages the surface of your driveway and takes a toll on its overall integrity. When water gets accumulated on your driveway, it negatively impacts its durability and with time leads to cracks and potholes. This is quite frequent in areas that experience a lot of rain and snow as in such areas standing water is a common occurrence.
So, what you need to do is ensure that your driveway has a downward slope and create proper drainage along your asphalt driveway from where water could easily flow away rather than getting accumulated in one spot. While it might seem like a costly affair, in the beginning, considering the amount you would be saying in the long run with just this one step makes it a cost-effective and much-recommended option.
5. Offer special protection to the edges
If as asphalt contractors in Melbourne we have to name one part of your driveway that is most susceptible to damage then it would be the edges. You might have noticed that chipping or crumbling usually occurs at the edges simply because the corners receive the least amount of support and therefore it’s the edges that need the most protection.
- As a preventive measure, make sure that you don’t drive to the edge of your driveway.
- You can offer the edges protection by landscaping i.e., building a supportive layer of soil around the sides. But make sure they are not too high so as to stop the flow of water.
- You can also use a premium edging restraint for increased protection and an enhanced look.
Build perfect asphalt driveways with Roadseal Civil
These were the few steps to care for your asphalt driveway in Melbourne. As a team specialising in expert car park construction in Melbourne, you can get in touch with us for building, repairing and maintaining your driveways and we will ensure that you avail of the best service in the industry.
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