How often should you expect to have your asphalt redone?
10 June 2020
Spring and summer are the time of year when homeowners start to consider all the projects or maintenance they need to do around their property, particularly outside. The driveway is one area that can often get put off as other projects may seem more important practically or aesthetically. It’s important to remember, however, that proper maintenance of your driveway can have an effect on the overall curb appeal of your home (what if you find yourself needing to sell?) and it can be very costly to have your driveway completely replaced if it’s not properly maintained.
What Damages Asphalt?
After a new driveway is installed, it takes about 6-12 months for it to cure. If you leave the asphalt alone after that (that is, don’t do any maintenance on it), it will start to degrade after about only 5-6 years, becoming harder and more brittle. The UV light from the sun will break down the carbon bonds in the asphalt, weakening it, and the repeated freeze and thaw during several winters will cause the asphalt to flex and move, creating cracks, and causing existing cracks to widen and deepen.
Maintaining your Asphalt Driveway
A good practice for maintaining your driveway is to repair cracks with fillers while they are still just minor surface cracks. In addition to this, you can regularly apply a sealcoat to your driveway every 2 to 3 years. The sealcoat will create a water seal and help protect the asphalt from damage by the sun’s UV light and the brittleness that develops when unsealed. It’s also important to remember to thoroughly clean your driveway every spring, brushing off excess dirt and debris, as well as cleaning (and maybe priming) any oil stains.
To Resurface or Replace your Asphalt Driveway
If you already have a driveway that is riddled with cracks and has not had the proper maintenance, you may need to consider resurfacing or replacing your driveway. Resurfacing is when a thinner layer of asphalt is placed over the existing driveway, giving it a nice, new appearance. It can be a good and affordable option if the underlying structure of the original driveway is sound. If, however, the original driveway has a lot of damage and the structure is not sound, these same issues will just reappear before long on the newly resurfaced driveway. In these cases, full replacement of the driveway is the best solution for a long-term structural and aesthetic fix.
How Long Can a Well Maintained Asphalt Driveway Last?
If you have a good driveway, and provide it with proper maintenance, it can last 20 to 25 years. Budgeting for driveway maintenance every 2 to 3 years can save you thousands in replacement costs. Though some people opt to do the maintenance themselves, it can be beneficial to get a professional in to do the work, as they have the best tools for the job, and will be able to spot needed repairs or problems before they become large and expensive issues. You can get started by reading our blog on how to spring clean your asphalt driveway!
