New Asphalt Driveway: Dos And Don'ts

If you have made the decision to have your driveway paved by a professional, it is important that you understand how to properly take care of it to get the most bang out of your buck. After all, an asphalt driveway is an investment into your property. Once it is installed, there are quite a few guidelines that you need to be aware of, such as knowing how long to wait to drive on it and when to sealcoat the pavement. Read on to learn a few dos and don'ts post-installation of your new asphalt driveway.

Do Park in Different Areas

If you end up parking in the exact same spot day after day, you will eventually notice impressions being left in the asphalt. While this may not occur over the course of weeks, it will occur over time. Therefore, you will want to change up the location of where you park your vehicle. If you intend on parking a vehicle or an RV for an extended period of time, make to position a piece of plywood beneath the tires (and tongue jack, if necessary) in order to protect the asphalt surface.

Don't Drive on the Surface Immediately

Your residential paving contractor will recommend that you avoid driving or using your asphalt driveway for at least 24 hours after they have completed the installation. Asphalt contains oil, and because of this, it will take longer for it to cure than it would if you were dealing with concrete. If you are having the asphalt driveway installed over the summer, it may be advisable to wait a couple of extra days before you drive on it. Your paving contractor can advise you on the exact amount of time that you should refrain from using your new driveway based on local factors.

Do Be Careful How You Turn the Wheel

When you pull in or out of your driveway, you will want to be careful as to how sharply or quickly you turn your wheel. Believe it or not, you could puncture or crack the new asphalt surface. This is particularly true during the first year or so after the installation. You should always do your best to ensure the steering wheel is straight when you are driving on your driveway.

Don't Apply a Sealcoat Too Soon

Sealcoating is a very important part of protecting your asphalt driveway. However, it is possible to have sealer applied too quickly to the surface after the driveway has been installed. Premature sealcoating will actually hinder the curing process of the asphalt. Each paving company will have their own recommended timeframe of when the sealer should be applied post-installation, but as a general rule, you should wait between six and 12 months.

For more information you should contact a residential paving contractor, such as Northern Asphalt LLC, in your area.