Asphalt aftercare: Do’s and Don'ts

DO CLEAN UP OIL AND FUEL SPILLS IMMEDIATELY

There aren’t many things that can do serious damage to fresh asphalt, but an oil or fuel spill will do irreparable harm.  Oil and gasoline break down the chemicals that bind asphalt together.  The worst part? It can do this at a rapid pace, weakening the structure of your smooth new asphalt. The penetration of the asphalt surface leads to raveling and worse.  This will lead to major problems for your pavement down the line and you’ll need to do extensive repair work. Nip damage in the bud right away.

DO SLOW DOWN

Speed kills asphalt, especially freshly-laid asphalt.  Take your time entering your newly paved area to avoid scuffing or scarring the asphalt. if you move at a slower pace you’ll prevent any damage from occurring.  If you have asphalt laid for public use, it’s best to implement speed reduction measures in the area to avoid unnecessary damage.

DO SEALCOAT REGULARLY

Once your asphalt is fully cured (but not before), apply a good quality sealcoat to the surface. Sealcoating stops moisture from getting into the asphalt, prevents fading and extends its functional life.  After the initial sealcoating you should have an asphalt professional reapply every 2-5 years.

DO NOT DRIVE ON FRESH ASPHALT FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS 

If you want to keep your asphalt looking good and staying stable, avoid driving on it for at least 24 hours. If you drive on freshly laid asphalt too soon you could cause ruts and dips to appear. Ruts and dips will hold water and debris which will cause additional damage to your asphalt.  Your asphalt is still quite soft during the first 24 hours of it being laid so it’s susceptible to the impact of vehicles such as cars, trucks and even motorcycles.

DO NOT LET WEEDS AND PLANTS CREEP UP

Keep an eye along the edges of your asphalt paving to make sure that no weeds are growing. The roots of weeds can create bumps and cracks in your pavement that will eventually form into larger cracks and holes. Pull up existing weeds by the roots and apply weed killer along the edges during the growing season to avoid issues in the future.

DO NOT IGNORE SMALL CRACKS IN YOUR ASPHALT

Keep an eye on your asphalt for new cracks or small holes. Cracks should be sealed with an asphalt crack sealant and holes should be patched immediately to prevent them from growing.  Flaws in your asphalt will not go away if you ignore them. If left unaddressed, they will continue to grow beyond the point where you can fix them yourself so spot check your parking lot at least once a month to make sure your asphalt is in good condition.