4 Important Tips for Asphalt Maintenance

Asphalt is a versatile material that can be used to pave your sidewalks, parking lots, and roads. If your company needs a material that is hardy, flexible, and quick to install then asphalt may be the material for you, but there are however some key maintenance procedures to follow if you want the pavement performing well for as long as possible.

Why does asphalt need maintenance?

While asphalt is considered a durable material, it will still eventually show signs of damage due to its exposure to the elements and heavy load from vehicles over time. It can be prone to cracking or warping which if left untreated can lead to further damage down the line. Luckily, there are some simple maintenance steps you can take with advice from TSL to get on top of this damage before it becomes a larger problem.

Here are four of the most important tips for asphalt maintenance:

1. Seal Coating

Seal Coating is the covering of the asphalt in a protective emulsion designed to do a few key things. This asphalt resurfacing process will firstly fill in any existing minor surface damage. This will provide a smoother darker finish. Most importantly, this seal also prevents damage from UV radiation as well as protecting against vehicle fluids and water from entering the asphalt. The seal can be easily applied by a professional and will only need to be re-done every 3-5 Years.

2. Crack Sealing and Patching

Over time your asphalt will begin to show some wear and tear in the form of cracks and potholes due to the high load of vehicles. It is crucial to have these issues addressed as soon as they occur to avoid more significant damage; if left alone, these cracks can allow water and other material to enter the asphalt which may eventually result in needing to replace the asphalt entirely. Luckily these cracks can be dealt with easily by applying a crack filler to the problem area. When the problem is widespread hiring a professional is important as things like temperature, weather, and application can make a large difference in the results.

3. Cleaning

Keeping your asphalt clean is an important step to take in maintaining its condition. Keeping your asphalt free of debris with regular sweeping is key in making sure you can identify any other maintenance issues. For example, a pile of leaves may hide a crack which may turn into a large issue down the line if not identified quickly enough.

4. Drainage

Water is one of the key conditions to control when maintaining the longevity of your asphalt. Improper or blocked drainage can cause excess water to enter the foundation of the asphalt leading to cracking and other issues. If you are in the process of asphalt removal and re-application, it may be a good idea to evaluate your drainage situation to make sure it is adequate. Alternatively, if you have an existing drainage system already in place then making sure it is clear of debris should be a priority. 

Contact us for you asphalt maintenance needs

For quality asphalt installation and maintenance, TSL is the civil construction company to use. For any advice you need on maintaining the durability of your asphalt, give the TSL team a call and we can help with all your queries.