If you own a home, maintaining your asphalt driveway should be a top priority, especially if it’s an asphalt driveway in Florida. By providing regular maintenance, you can extend the life of your driveway and retain your home’s value. To be honest, maintaining your paved driveway involves more work than many homeowners might assume. Although asphalt driveways in Florida can last quite a while, they will not last forever, especially with expansion and contraction of the summer heat and heavy rains. To combat the elements, maintenance and repairs will be required along the way, usually between three to five years. If you are able to remain proactive about maintaining the longevity of your asphalt driveway in Florida, you will reap the rewards of a perfectly paved driveway for years to come. We recommend the following tips to retain the integrity of your asphalt driveway in Florida.
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Meet The Greatest Threat To Your Asphalt Driveway In Florida: Water
The largest threat to your paved asphalt driveway in Florida is undoubtably — water. With extreme heat and torrential summer rains, you must be diligent in your efforts to minimize the amount of standing water on your asphalt driveway. If you don’t have a proper drainage system in place, water will collect and seep below the surface. You might not expect this to be an issue, but in fact, the expansion of the asphalt from cooling water can create a lot of concerns, much of which can’t be seen with your eyes until it’s too late. Avoid unnecessary repairs by being preventive and keep an eye out for standing water following a heavy rain.
Proper Drainage Prevents Puddles
As we previously discussed, if you do not have proper drainage system, water will seep below the surface and expand as it cools. The expansion of asphalt leads to a stress on the paved surface nearby, like a chip in a windshield leading to an unrepairable crack, it creates fractures in the asphalt, sometimes below the surface. Ensuring your drainage system is functional is part of preventive maintenance for your asphalt driveway in Florida. Regardless of the reason for the standing water on your driveway, it must be corrected to ensure your property isn’t irreversibly damaged. Unfortunately, many home owners are reactive and not preventive when it comes to standing water on their property. Save yourself the trouble of unexpected costs and properly maintain your asphalt driveway in Florida.
Pay Attention To The Color Of Your Asphalt Driveway
In Florida, the UV rays are considered the strongest in the United States. This would be due to Florida’s geographic position being located nearer to the equator than all the other states. When the sun hits your pavement, it will wear away the color of the asphalt, making it appear lighter and less vivid. As well, the daily weathering can also cause the color of the asphalt to change altogether. In addition, some chemicals are acidic enough that they can wear down the surface of your asphalt driveway. When you are caring for your asphalt driveway in Florida, applying a sealant can improve it’s lifetime and appearance, further preventing fading and color change.
Notice Any Warping? Fix It Right Away!
Have you considered how much pressure your vehicle puts on your asphalt driveway? This pressure is even stronger when your vehicle is in motion. The pressure applied to asphalt driveways can even create warping. If you catch the warping as soon as it happens it can likely be repaired. If the pressure created minimal damage, asphalt repair can be a solution.
Prevent Crack Expansion On Your Asphalt Driveway in Florida
As time goes on, cracks begin to appear in your pavement. This cracking is your official notice that it’s time to have repairs completed.
If you neglect this notification, the cracks will expand and shift into what is known as the ugly and distributive “alligator cracking” which requires the layers of effected asphalt to be peeled off prior to repair in order the properly apply a new layer of asphalt. It’s best to prevent alligator cracking on your asphalt driveway in Florida by connecting with a trusted company at the first sign of pavement cracks.
Interested in learning more about maintaining your asphalt driveway in Florida? Contact Asphalt Icons. We have experience in asphalt paving, repair, and sealcoating. We are licensed, insured, and committed to maintaining your asphalt driveway while providing five star customer service. If you are interested in learning more about maintaining your asphalt driveway, reach out to us at by clicking here or calling (321) 370-4736.
