Aesthetic Appeal
It is said that we don’t know what we have until it is lost. This is especially true of neatly paved roads. Anyone who has driven on dusty or gravelly surfaces will immediately feel the difference on their automobile and will be able to sense how much more comfortable and less damaging a well-paved surface is. The aesthetic difference is also marked, and this is a very big issue for homeowners who pride themselves on the presentable appearance of their home. An asphalt surface which is not maintained properly will show its signs of neglect for all to see.
Yet many people will neglect asphalt maintenance, conveniently forgetting that their pavement is covered in it at all until the damage is so great that they need to have their surfaces paved again altogether. The fact of the matter is that no man-made structure will last forever, no matter how tough it is. Remember that pavement and floors are constantly dealing with changes in weather, the weight of people and vehicles, and the simple wear caused by the environment. Asphalt is particularly prone to damage since the weight off the cars which pass through it is relatively immense compared to the beatings that other structures take on a daily basis. Our asphalt contractors will provide minor repair services, like crack filling, when performing maintenance on your driveway or parking lot.
Helps You Avoid Re-Paving Costs
Winter, especially in places where temperatures get close to the freezing point, is the natural enemy of asphalt and pavement. If there are any cracks, nooks, or holes in your pavement or asphalt, then the combination of water and freezing means that it’ll probably suffer severe repercussions from the freeze, which will leave you with a surface uncomfortable to treat upon by early spring. If you don’t do maintenance before winter, then you may likely have to pay for that in astronomical re-paving jobs soon after the snow begins to thaw. Since asphalt is best spread in heat, it is best to get the job done during the height of summer.
Asphalt Lasts Longer
This is not to say that winter is the only season where the asphalt is in danger. Heat also causes the slow reduction in the effectiveness of asphalt. As was mentioned before, asphalt is easiest to spread well when it is being baked in high temperatures, either artificially or by the sun. This means that very hot days may cause it to loosen slightly. This combined with the toll of car tires on the ground can lead to significant wear. The bottom line is that no matter where you live or what the issue is, asphalt will last longest if you maintain it regularly.
Especially if you live in a place where the winter cold is severe, you should strongly consider having preventative asphalt maintenance done regularly to ensure that you are saving on long-term costs. The price of having the whole thing re-done is very high compared to that of simply having a professional come to your house and look at the small weaknesses which can become big problems in winter months.
We provide asphalt and paving services throughout Southeastern Wisconsin, including Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Burlington, Waterford, Wind Lake and Surrounding Areas
Contact Asphalt Contractors Inc. for your free asphalt pavement estimate today.
We poured asphalt last summer, and this was a reminder that we haven’t done anything to maintain it. Like you said, asphalt has to put up to the weather every second of everyday. Not only that, but it puts up with cars driving over it, and people walking and running on it all the time. That is not easy, and it totally makes sense why you would need to maintain it on a regular basis.
You didn’t mention what kind of maintenance to perform, for example sealcoating. That should normally be done every 3-5 years. We see tons of destroyed driveways that weren’t maintained and our harsh central PA winters just come through and tear up what’s left.
I had no idea that heat can also cause the asphalt to loosen, which can lead to wear. I can see why it would be important for people who lives in extremely hot or cold climates. My mom has been wanting to repave her driveway. I’ll have to point this out to her if she is wanting to use asphalt.
Either we can pay a smaller amount to maintain our asphalt or pay a ton to get it replaced! I never have big chunks of money at a time so I am more inclined to maintain my asphalt. But if you get a good asphalt paving contractor, they will help make it so you can wait a little bit before you need to start getting it maintained and repaired.