Asphalt Maintenance and Care

Many people who are considering a new driveway have questions about what to expect for maintenance. We compiled a list of potential concerns and hope to address the causes and solutions. Issues range from weather, to use related. Blacktop Concepts is committed to transparency on every job. We guarantee that while we can’t control the weather- we can control quality– and that’s one thing you won’t have to worry about. 

Cracks

Here are common types of cracks and indentations that you may encounter if you own an asphalt driveway as well as some care and maintenance tips. 

Expansion Cracks 

In the climate that we live in here in the upper Midwest, the earth can go through many changes as the temperature rises and falls. This is especially true during the winter freeze-up and spring thaw. Expansion cracking can be expected on any hard surface like asphalt and concrete as the earth expands and contracts. This can happen as early as the first year after your asphalt is paved, or many years down the road. 

What can you do about expansion cracks?

DIY crack filling is something you can do to help prevent the cracks from getting bigger over time. The goal of filling the crack is to keep water from seeping in and re-freezing or eroding the sub-base. Typically, you will need to wait until the crack expands to at least 1/4′ before you can fill with rubberized crack filler. We recommend Dalton Enterprises 35099 PLI-STIX 30 Ft. Asphalt and Concrete Crack Filler. 

Edge Cracking 

Cracking on the edge can happen when a vehicle is parked closer than one foot from the edge or by repeated driving over the edges. Also if edges are not backfilled correctly they will lack the support they need to hold up over time and will be vulnerable to washout during heavy rains. 

Alligator Cracking 

This type of cracking will resemble a spider web and is a sign of major settling or insufficient base to support normal vehicle traffic. We offer a 5-year guarantee on this type of cracking because it is usually a sign of design failure. Blacktop Concepts is committed to quality preparation on every driveway to ensure this does not happen. 

Tire Marks and Indentations

Asphalt will not fully harden until it goes through the first winter. 

Small indentations can be made by parked cars, kickstands, car jacks, or any other pressure point. This will be especially true the entire first summer and on hot days when the surface will reheat. Most of these are small and insignificant and will not affect the longevity of the driveway, but they can be avoided with some proper care. 

Avoid parking with tires turned to one side and parking too close to the edges. If you plan on parking a boat or RV on your asphalt, place a piece of plywood under the tires or jack to disperse the weight. Your driveway is a big investment and even though tire marks will not compromise the integrity of your driveway it is worth taking the extra care to avoid it. Educating friends and family as well as delivery drivers to ensure that everyone who uses your driveway understands.

Tire Scuff Marks

As for tire scuff marks, they are not as bad as they look. Visible scuffing and marking do not signal any underlying damage that will reduce the lifespan of your pavement. Here is an article from the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association with more details on the topic. 

Blacktop Concepts is committed to a driveway you can be proud of. Every job is completed with quality materials and superior craftsmanship, We guarantee proper preparation on every surface so that your driveway will be beautiful, long-lasting, and high quality for many years. Contact us today for a free estimate on a new driveway.