Asphalt Driveway Care
Some things that may scar your NEW asphalt driveway include the following:
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Driving too fast
Driving too fast•Pulling in too quickly
Pulling in too quickly•Turning around in tight areas
Turning around in tight areas•Starting out too fast
Starting out too fast•Parking in the same spot everyday
Parking in the same spot everyday•Turning the wheel back & forth while your vehicle is in park
Turning the wheel back & forth while your vehicle is in park•Lawn Furniture
Lawn Furniture•Bicycle and Motorcycle kickstands
Bicycle and Motorcycle kickstands•Stiletto high heel shoes
Stiletto high heel shoes•Turning the wheel quickly when turning around
Turning the wheel quickly when turning around•Jack stands
Jack stands•Automobile ramps
Automobile ramps•Excessive weight from large vehicles (Boats, Campers, etc.)
Excessive weight from large vehicles (Boats, Campers, etc.)•Gasoline, Oil, Anti-freeze, Power steering fluid leaks & spills
Gasoline, Oil, Anti-freeze, Power steering fluid leaks & spills•Driving on and/or over the edge
Driving on and/or over the edgeIf possible, always try to travel in a straight path. Turning your wheels while stopped is especially hard on the surface.
When using jack stands or auto ramps you may place a piece of plywood under them to help distribute the weight. You will also need to do this when storing boats or campers, place the plywood under the jack and under the tires.
Your driveway may look smoother in some areas than in others. This is due to the various sizes of stone, sand, and other ingredients which cause a varied texture in the surface. Asphalt is bituminous, meaning it will take 6 to 24 months to fully cure and harden. During this time your driveway will remain soft and pliable. Though you may walk on your new driveway, you will need to keep all automobile traffic completely off for a full 3 days, maybe longer in hotter temperatures. Although not as hard as concrete, your new asphalt driveway will be very durable once it is fully cured. As temperatures rise and fall your asphalt will soften and harden. Remember that your driveway is softer in warm weather and this is the time to be more cautious.
The edges of your driveway are the weakest part of the asphalt due to the lack of support. Avoid driving on or over the edges at all times for this will cause the asphalt to break and crumble. We suggest building up the sides of the driveway with soil; up to 1 inch from the top of the driveway to allow room for sod growth and water damage. This will help support the edges and enhance the appearance after grass is grown.
