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An Outdoor Oasis

About Me

An Outdoor Oasis

Some of my fondest memories were made in the backyard of my childhood home. I adored spending time outside with my two dogs. I also loved to play volleyball and basketball with my family members and friends. Do you have kids who always seem to have excessive energy to burn? If your kids get tired of staying indoors when at home, consider hiring a paving contractor to build a sports court in your backyard. After determining what type of sports your kids enjoy playing, your paving contactor can likely suggest what size and type of court you’ll need. On this blog, I hope you will discover how a paving contractor can help you get the backyard of your dreams. Enjoy!

Asphalt Driveway Maintenance

26 January 2017
 Categories: , Blog

If you have installed a brand new asphalt driveway, you just spent a lot of hard earned money. That asphalt was a great idea because it can last a very long time, and look very nice. However, if not properly cared for, asphalt can fall to pieces in a short while. There are multiple reasons that asphalt needs to be well maintained, but the most important is that you want it to stay looking sharp and functioning properly for as long as possible. Here are three ways to maintain your asphalt driveway.

Invest In A High Quality Sealant

Now that you have invested in the asphalt it is time to go down to your favorite home improvement store and invest in a high quality asphalt sealant. When looking for a sealant, be sure to find one that has polymers and adds protection against the weather but also from you. You want a sealant that is going to protect against oil, gas, and other spills as well as rain and snow. In areas where the seasons change this is incredibly important. As water gets into the pores of the asphalt and freezes, it expands and can quickly break down the asphalt. Make sure to put a few coats of sealant down, and vary the direction of application. If you apply it north to south the first time, apply it east to west the second time.

Take Care Of Cracks

Over time, your asphalt is going to crack and split. This is going to be frustrating because you are doing everything that you can to make your asphalt last, but it is going to happen. When you notice a crack, immediately fill that crack with an asphalt crack sealer. This is going to fill the crack with a tough polymer that is going to stop water and other liquids from getting into the crack and opening the crack even more. 

Keep Grass and Plants Away

Another common problem that you will find is that the grass growing up next to your asphalt will slowly start to break down the asphalt. The grass is getting between the particles of the asphalt and breaking it down. For this reason, it is very important that you edge your lawn and make sure that any other plants are not going to be growing up threw the edge of your asphalt. It is a good idea to use a type of brick or rock to separate your asphalt and grass. For more info, contact an asphalt maintenance company.