Asphalt driveways look great on domestic and commercial properties. They not only neat up the outlook of your property but also provide great functionality. With a quality asphalt paved driveway, you will have plenty of parking storage. Also, these will make access to your garage much more convenient and easier. Asphalt driveways are very durable. Still, they are not indestructible by any means.
Since driveways are always prone to elements, they will wear out in time. Also, not caring for your driveway can make it look dull, colorless and not so smooth. There are plenty of things that can go wrong with a driveway. Some have to do with the asphalt driveway contractor job that you get. Others are more associated with factors like climate and usage patterns.
So, here are some asphalt driveway enemies you should definitely look out for:
1: Standing Surface Water or Snow
Rainwater and melting snow water for driveways is never a good sign. Your typical asphalt pavement will be held together with a layer of adhesive placed underneath. Also, top layer will be held together with the quality of that sealcoat if done.
How rain or snow water damages your driveway is by altering the composition of those adhesive layers. Standing water can cause debris to come off the driveway. Rainy and snowy winter seasons are always the worst when it comes to driveway health.
So, when you get that driveway laid out, make sure to ask your contractor to assess the conditions. A porous driveway will be best in such conditions. Also, a fresh sealcoat seals the surface and also makes snow melt away quicker. Get the right material mix for your local weather conditions.
2: Direct Sunlight in the Summer
Parts of the world that have extreme summers, often see asphalt pavements expire quicker. This is mainly because summer sun can be quite warm. The adhesive layers of that asphalt in the material can start to melt and become lose. Exposure to extreme temperatures can be damaging.
The best way to go about it is to get the right kind of material mix. Ask your driveway paving contractor to assess the weather conditions perfectly and prepare the surface and materials accordingly. Also, there might be something though not much that you can do to stop that.
If you can have most part of your driveway shaded, go for it. If not, try a lighter color coating on top for the summer. Lighter color coats are known to deflect heat and light most. These tactics can help make your driveways last longer.
3: Heavy Vehicles Parked for Long
Another major problem is when heavy vehicles get parked on specific spots on your driveway. Although this problem isn’t that common with domestic driveways. Yet, commercial ones that have big trucks, lorries and heavy vehicles parked on them might have to deal with it.
What heavy vehicles do in the long-term is that they will cause the asphalt surface to get pressed down. This disrupts the balance of the material. The adhesive layer might start to come off. Debris getting lose will create potholes and cracks in the entire driveway.
For commercial driveways, you should always communicate well with your contractor before the project. That hot mix will need adjustments in terms of its composition to cater for heavy vehicles. Also, try to change the location of your heavy vehicles from time to time.
4: Leaky Engines and Machinery
Leaky engines and motors can cause quite a stir on your driveway. From those permanent oil stains to make debris come off it, leaky engines can be lethal. Especially, hot oil coming from a freshly turned off engine is very damaging.
What you can do is to fix up your leaky engines. Fixing leaky engines will be good for your vehicle health as well. You don’t want oil stains collecting on your driveway. When dried up and latched onto the driveway permanently, these oil stains can make it look very bad.
5: Plantation Roots and Along the Edges
Plantation including trees and other plans with big roots can be a problem. With roots, the problem is always where they spread and where they will come out of. Large trees have very large roots system under the ground as well. When they get under your driveway, they can damage it.
Also, plantation growth along the edges of your driveway is quite bad. Especially, when you have raised curbs along the edges of your driveway, plantation can find its spot. It will be most dangerous too. So, make sure to eliminate any weed growth and get your driveway laid away from the trees.
Usually, back green parts of properties have a few trees. However, driveways are usually required at the front side only. In situations like this one, you should be good to go. Make sure to get a proper survey before the project begins on your property.
6: Mulch or Firewood
Usually, homeowners get their mulch and firewood delivery on the driveway. Also, it gets left along for longer periods of time. Although mulch or even heavy firewood may not be damaging to driveway for its weight, it can lave long-term effects. Some of them being stains.
When it rains on mulch or firewood, there will be compounds coming off of them. This contaminated water may leak into the adhesive layer making it lose. So, make sure to sort out your mulch of firewood delivery quickly before it gets rained on at all.
