If you had a new asphalt driveway installed for your home, you want it to last a long time for you. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure this so you can save money on repairs and/or driveway replacement. Keep reading for two tips to get you started. 

Apply Sealcoating

Asphalt sealcoating is one of the best things you can do to prevent damage to your new driveway. There are services that you can hire to apply this sealcoat for you. If you have no experience, you should consider doing this to ensure the sealcoat is applied properly.

Before the sealcoat is applied the asphalt driveway is cleaned using a power washer. This is important as sealcoat will not adhere to dirty areas on asphalt.  Once it is completely clean, the soap is rinsed off and the driveway is then swept with a broom. If there are oil spots on the driveway, the contractor uses a primer that is made to remove these stains. 

The sealcoat is applied to the asphalt driveway and the contractor lets it completely dry. Once it is dry, they apply a second coat and let it completely dry before you can start using your driveway. The contractor will tell you how long this will take. 

Protect the Edges

Another way to protect your asphalt driveway is to protect the edges. Over time, the edges can crack and then start to crumble. This is common because the asphalt on the edges is not under the aggregate base which means they are not supported as much. These cracks may spread and cause damage to the driveway. 

To protect the edges, make sure you do not drive along the edge when pulling into your driveway. Also, soil that builds up next to the edges can cause cracking and crumbling if the soil is wet due to rain. To help with this, push back the soil from the driveway a few inches. Also, make sure the topsoil is a few inches lower than the edge of your driveway.  

If you notice grass and weeds growing against the driveway, this can also cause cracks and crumbling over time. To help with this you can use a weed killer that you spray along the edges. This not only kills the grass and weeds but makes your driveway look much better. If you have trees near the driveway that have wide roots, they can spread enough to hit the edges. Move the trees to another area or remove them from your yard. 

Talk with the asphalt sealcoating contractor to learn of other ways you can protect your new driveway. 

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