Caring for Your Newly Paved Asphalt Surface for Years to Come

What You Need to Know

Asphalt is made up of liquid tar that is composed of various sizes of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients, that over time needs time to harden and cure after paving. That’s why proper care and maintenance is essential to extend the life of your newly paved asphalt surface.

Your driveway or parking lot will be fully cured in 24 months. Until then, it will remain pliable and soft. We recommend keeping automobiles off the paved surface for at least seven days, longer in warmer weather. Please note, despite the curing process, your asphalt can soften or harden during extreme temperature fluctuations. To help mediate asphalt softening in hot weather, cool it down with a garden hose. Don’t be alarmed if soap suds appear. This is a reaction between the diesel fuel found in asphalt and the chlorine found in some city water.

To avoid scarring, maintain a slow, steady speed taking care not to pull out or in too quickly, or drive too fast on your asphalt surface. During the initial curing time, do not park in the same spot and don’t use a jack stand or car ramp without a piece of plywood underneath the distribute weight. Do not turn your steering wheel back and forth when the car is parked. Large, heavy vehicles can depress causing ruts in your new blacktop. Keep heavy trucks – concrete, oil, landscaping, etc. – off your new paved surface. If storing a camper or other vehicles for a long period of time, place a durable piece of plywood under the tongue jack and tires.

Do not walk on your new paved surface with cleats or high heels; do not place lawn chairs, bicycle kick stands, or any other sharp object on the driveway as this can create holes and depressions.

The edges are the weakest part of your driveway due to lack of side support. Do not drive on the edges as they can crack or crumble over time. Building up the sides of your driveway with topsoil will support the edges after the grass is grown.
 
For more questions on maintaining your newly paved asphalt surface, contact the professional asphalt contractors at Minnesota Roads & Parking Lots. We are always here to help

Preserving The Appearance of Your Asphalt

The appearance of your paved asphalt surface may vary in some areas because of the makeup of the asphalt. Asphalt areas that have been raked and spread with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by equipment. For a long-lasting smooth appearance, it’s important to avoid gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, power steering and transmission fluid spills and leaks. These will dilute the liquid asphalt in your blacktop. Any hole left by these spills should be filled with a cold patch. Any hairline cracks that may develop due to contraction or expansion of the asphalt should be filled with crack filler. These products can be purchased from your local home improvement store.

Sealcoating

We recommend sealcoating your new driveway 12 months after paving. Sealcoating too soon may cause damage to your driveway unless an oil-based sealer is used. Because blacktop is naturally porous, water can seep into and through the paving. This can cause deterioration, ridges, and upheaval due to frost and freezing. Asphalt is also softened and broken up by gasoline, lube oil, grease, road salt, and anti-freeze. Sealer protects blacktop against these harmful substances.