Five Tips to Maintain Your Asphalt Surfaces

Known for its strength and durability, asphalt is the most popular option for paving roads and driveways.  Although there are other materials available for paving, like concrete, brick, and chip seal in San Antonio, TX, asphalt is one of the best.  However, asphalt roads are prone to degradation due to a variety of reasons. Temperature, harsh weather conditions, ineffective drainage system, and heavy traffic result in cracks and potholes, eventually degrading the road.  While asphalt is known for surviving harsh temperatures and the heavy load, improper maintenance might reduce its lifespan.  There are a few tips to properly maintain your asphalt surfaces to keep them in optimal condition.

Regular Cleaning

Apart from inspection and damage maintenance, regular cleaning also helps in maintaining your asphalt road. If not cleaned regularly, debris may accumulate within cracks and result in severe damage.  Furthermore, regularly cleaning your asphalt pathways protect it from harmful elements. You must sweep your asphalt pavement on a regular basis to maintain its durability.  While asphalt is known for its long-lasting quality, all these asphalt road maintenance tips allow you to retain the strong and durable nature of asphalt.

Crack Filling and Sealcoating

If your asphalt roads have cracks, water can run through it and weaken the road. Moreover, heavy load of vehicles can also cause the cracks to widen.  The crack filling can help combat this problem. It can be done by yourself, or you may hire a professional if the damage is severe.  Sealcoating your asphalt surface every few years also helps in increasing its lifespan.  It protects the surface from harmful elements and water seepage.

Snow and Ice Removal

During winters, the freeze-thaw cycle can crack your asphalt pavement.  The accumulated water beneath the surface, resulting from the freeze-thaw cycle, combined with the weight of the traffic and high temperatures can degrade the road.  Regular snow and ice removal is hence a vital requirement for maintaining asphalt roads.  While you may not be able to regularly shovel snow, you must hire a professional snow and ice removal service for the best results.

Fix Drainage Problems

A poor drainage system can damage your road, which can cost you heavy repair or replacement.  A poor drainage system allows water to reach the base surface and weaken it, resulting in cracks and potholes.  Fixing these drainage problems by installing a drain inlet or underdrain may help.  A good drainage system ensures a lasting asphalt road.

Regular Inspections

While asphalt can survive heavy traffic, without proper maintenance a load of traffic can deteriorate your asphalt pavement.  The best way is to reduce the load of heavy vehicles like garbage and delivery trucks on your driveway.  However, that is not always possible.  To avoid long term damages, you will want to have regular inspections and repair of the damages caused by heavy traffic.  

These are a few of the ways that you can care for and maintain your asphalt surfaces.  When you invest in quality asphalt or chip seal in San Antonio, TX, you will want to understand how to properly care for your surfaces so that they stay in the best condition.  Contact the experts at M Carroll Blacktop to schedule paving or maintenance services today.