An asphalt driveway is quite the investment for your property. By doing regular maintenance all year, you protect your investment. This keeps it in great shape longer than if you just install it and forget about it. This article will explore the different seasonal asphalt maintenance tasks for Wisconsin.
In the spring, you should check your driveway thoroughly for new cracks and settling below the surface. If left unchecked, this kind of damage can wreak havoc throughout the year and break down your driveway far before it should. After you inventory all the winter wear on your driveway, you can fix it yourself or call a professional to help. Fill the cracks with tar to seal out water and prevent further damage.
Low spots in your driveway are a bit trickier to solve. To fix asphalt low spots, first clean the area well, add cold mix asphalt to the spot, and compact it to make it level.
Spring is also the best time to do a complete cleaning of your driveway. Snow in the winter makes keeping your driveway clean an almost impossible task. Months of salting and driving on roads covered in sand can leave your driveway coated with debris. Take a power washer to your driveway, and purge away any loose debris.
Sealcoating in the spring is extremely beneficial. A well-done sealcoating will protect your driveway from damaging UV rays and oil absorption. Sealcoating also carries the benefit of keeping your asphalt looking fresh and new. To see the most benefits from sealcoating, you should do it on a yearly basis.
Avoid using car jacks on hot summer days to prevent damage.
Summer Driveway Maintenance: Summer is the best time to get large maintenance done on your driveway. The heat of the summer can leave your driveway vulnerable to softening in the sun. Perform at least one check of your driveway during a hot summer day and see if it’s softening. If it is, avoid sharp pressure points on your driving surface.
Avoid using jacks on your driveway during the hottest summer days. This sharp pressure can warp and damage your driveway permanently. Hosing down your asphalt is a good short-term solution to overheating driveways. On the hottest summer days, it’s a good idea to take out your garden hose and soak the whole driveway.
Click here to learn more about the effects of heat on asphalt.
Fall Driveway Maintenance: Fall, like spring, is a good time to check for damage. You should also remove debris and dirt, and apply sealcoating. Fallen leaves pose the issue of clogging drainage systems surrounding your driveway. Swift removal of leaves prevents standing water.
The fall is the last opportunity in the year to weatherproof your driveway in preparation for winter. If you notice cracks in your driveway, you should definitely consider making repairs before the winter months. This minimizes the effects of freeze-thaw cycles during the winter.
Rubber blade covers prevent damage to your driveway.
Winter Driveway Maintenance: Driveway maintenance is difficult during the winter months. This makes maintenance during the other three seasons absolutely key. Here are some things you should consider during the winter to keep your asphalt healthy.
Instead of traditional snow plows, opt for a snow plow with a rubber-tipped blade. Using this keeps the hard steel blades of regular snow plows from pulling material from the driveway. This helps protect the driving surface.
Be careful with what you use for chemical ice and snow removal. Melting a lot of snow and ice on your driveway can let water seep into cracks. To avoid this damage, use rock salt sparingly.
