Asphalt is commonly used for driveways and parking lots. Bound with bitumen, a viscous material made from crude oil, asphalt expands and contracts more easily, making surfaces strong and more durable. With regular maintenance, we find that asphalt surfaces last a long time. However, even though professional installations increase its lifespan, you still need to maintain asphalt surfaces. If you find that you need asphalt maintenance or new asphalt paving in Millersville MD, or elsewhere in Anne Arundel County, discover A&M Asphalt Paving. Read on to learn more about maintaining your asphalt surfaces.
Asphalt Paving Upkeep
Clean Oil & Fuel Spills
While fuel-resistant asphalt mixtures for airport runways have been around since the 1990s, these aren’t what you’ll find on your driveway or parking area. Oil, diesel fuel, or gasoline spills ruin any paving surfaces if you don’t deal with them. These spills break down asphalt, causing cracks and eventually potholes. You need to isolate, neutralize, and remove fuel spills immediately. Sure, you could go online to find hacks or, better yet, call your local asphalt paver for advice. If the asphalt’s already spongy, though, you’d better call a professional to keep it from breaking down further.
Remove Tree Roots
Another problem that occurs with asphalt, and other paving, involves roots. Roots seek out water, growing underneath your driveway. They push dirt up and make the surface uneven, which eventually makes your driveway’s surface cave in and collapse. If you have trees that are close to your driveway, be on the lookout for cracks!
Sealcoating
To keep roots or fuel from causing more damage, it’s a good idea to sealcoat your asphalt. The sun and oxygen in the air make asphalt brittle, causing cracks. When rain or melting snow seeps through these cracks, water pools underneath, leading to further cracking. Sealing protects the surface from further damage by keeping fuel from seeping into the material and from sealing those cracks that allow water to gather, attracting tree roots.
A&M Asphalt Paving in Millersville MD
Looking for a fully licensed and insured company for asphalt paving in Millersville MD? A&M Asphalt Paving helps businesses and homeowners in Anne Arundel County maintain and pave new driveways, line-stripe and patch parking lots, seal coat driveways and parking lots, and even remove snow. Contact us today for a free estimate.