How to Avoid These Asphalt Destroying Substances

How to Avoid These Asphalt Destroying Substances

How to Avoid These Asphalt Destroying Substances

There's nothing quite like a newly paved asphalt surface.  Brand new and gently used road or driveway surfaces will look attractive and fresh, which makes many home or business owners want to keep it in that shape for as long as possible.  Although your asphalt will be susceptible to normal wear and tear over time, you'll want to prevent it from degrading or being destroyed faster than it should be.  As specialists in paving in Orlando, we have expertise on how to properly treat your asphalt so that you can get as much out of it as possible.  This involves knowing about what types of substances will destroy your asphalt if neglected.  There are a few ways that you can avoid these asphalt destroying substances and keep your asphalt in optimal shape.

Heavy Traffic

Over time, heavy traffic, especially from large vehicles and trucks, can have a negative impact on your asphalt.  They can increase ruts and deteriorate the pavement at a quicker rate simply because of their extra weight and pressure on the road.  This will degrade the durability of the asphalt, which can require premature replacements.  Be sure to encourage large vehicles to keep moving and not spend too much time being idle on your pavement.  

Sunlight

Sunlight has many damaging UV rays that require extra protection, just like our skin.  In order to protect your asphalt from the sun, you should sealcoat your asphalt at least every five years.  Without this protective layer, your asphalt could dry out and easily crack when it has too much exposure to the sun.

Water

When water sits on top of your asphalt surface for a long period of time, it can actually start to form cracks.  It can also cause potholes to develop, which will make your roads and driveways difficult to for traffic to drive.  Sealcoating is a great way to prevent some of these issues from forming, as it will provide a protective layer that prevents surface water from seeping into the asphalt itself.  

Oil and Fuel Spills

If you do not immediately clean up oil or fuel spills from your asphalt, it can encourage deterioration and softening of your asphalt surface.  Also, it will not stick to any sealcoating layers that are applied after the spill, which will leave part of your asphalt unprotected.  Make sure to immediately tend to any oil spills quickly so that you won't leave your asphalt susceptible to premature deterioration.

These are the main asphalt destroying substances and how you can prevent them from ruining your asphalt over time.  If you neglect the proper asphalt maintenance, you may find that you need to seal or even replace your surface sooner than you should.  By taking the right measures and trusting the experts in paving in Orlando, you can keep your asphalt looking great all the time.  Contact us to hear about our range of paving services today.