Like anything else, you need to maintain your asphalt in order to ensure that it stays in good condition for as long as possible. But what if you just… didn’t? How bad is it really if you don’t maintain your asphalt? Asphalt is a durable material; certainly, it can last long enough on its own.

As you may expect, asphalt needs routine maintenance in order to last as long as possible. If you don’t maintain your asphalt, you’ll see asphalt deterioration occur much faster than it would otherwise. 

Here’s a little overview of the timeline of asphalt deterioration, as well as some of the causes of asphalt deterioration. Not obtaining maintenance only exacerbates the process.

Stage 1 Of Asphalt Deterioration: All Is Well

You may be surprised to learn that asphalt begins to deteriorate pretty much right away. Even with a perfect asphalt job done with only the best materials, deterioration is an inevitability with something that experiences as much wear and tear as asphalt surfaces tend to. 

That said, the first 5 years after asphalt has been laid down are the best. It’s brand new, it’s smooth, and it’s still nice and black, for the most part. Sure, traffic and the elements are beating down on it, but usually, the only sign of damage that people see during this stage is some fading from sunlight. 

Stage 2: It Needs A New Sealcoat

Towards the end of the first stage is when you should start thinking about having a new sealcoat applied to your asphalt. This helps to protect the asphalt from damage and helps it to perform better.

If you don’t have a sealcoat applied, you’ll notice more cracking and damage. The asphalt won’t be as pretty a black, and will look duller, greyer, and begin to show more signs of deterioration.

Stage 3: It Needs Repair

By the time the asphalt is 7-15 years old, it’s considered to be midway through it’s lifecycle. This is with proper maintenance. If you don’t maintain your asphalt, you’ll notice that it needs repairs much sooner and more frequently than it would otherwise.

As this point, it’s usually normal to have another sealcoat applied and to conduct some minor repairs, such as taking care of potholes and the like. 

Stage 4: It Needs More Major Repairs

By the time your asphalt is between 15-24 years old, it is likely going to need more major repairs on a more regular basis. Again, if you ignore these repairs, you’ll need to have your asphalt replaced more frequently than you would otherwise. By the time your asphalt deterioration reaches stage 4, the focus is less on preventing damage and moreso on keeping the surface in good condition for as long as possible.

Stage 5: Replacement

Asphalt generally needs to be replaced after it’s been around for 25 years. If you don’t maintain your asphalt, it will need more frequent replacement than this. 

Factors That Impact Asphalt Deterioration

Of course, even if you carefully maintain your asphalt surfaces, there are other factors that can speed up their deterioration. 

Some of the factors that can cause asphalt to deteriorate aside from a lack of maintenance include:

• Water. If you live somewhere where it snows or rains a lot, you’ve likely noticed how potholes tend to pop up after the season. This is because water can get under the asphalt and cause it to break down. It can worsen existing damage, such as cracks.
• Oxidation. Either from the sun or from chemicals, oxidation can dry out asphalt and cause it to crack. 
• Chemicals. This includes gas and oil, such as from cars. Chemicals can soften asphalt and cause it to lose its ability to hold together. 
• Roots. Mother Nature has a will of its own. Tree roots can push up your asphalt and cause it to break and crack. 
• Heavy traffic loads. The more traffic there is on your asphalt, the faster it will wear out, due to all that wear and tear. 

Ignoring deteriorating asphalt does no one any good and can even lead to safety issues. It can cause problems in many areas, such as road safety, with an HOA, or with causing potential customers to look for someone else with a better maintained parking lot to help them with their concerns.

Do You Need Asphalt Maintenance?

Precision Asphalt Maintenance is here to help! We provide all sorts of asphalt services, from asphalt maintenance to asphalt repair to sealcoating and more. To request a quote or for any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact us today!

Fall leaves are stunning with their reds and golds and oranges. Autumn is the ideal time of year to take a stroll outside and bask in nature’s beauty. More people head up the canyons in order to see the leaves in the mountains in their full glory. Beautiful as fall leaves are, though, you want to ensure that you keep them off of your asphalt. Fallen leaves can affect your asphalt in a number of negative ways. 

While raking up fallen leaves for kids – or you! – to jump into is a peak autumnal activity, you want to be sure that you clear them away when you’re done in order to keep your asphalt in good condition. Here’s what you need to know about some of the ways in which fallen leaves can affect your asphalt. 

#1. Prevent Adequate Drainage

Your asphalt needs proper drainage in order to last longer and to stay in good condition. You know how there are more potholes and cracks in the road after rainy and snowy seasons? This is because water can erode your asphalt. If your asphalt already has existing cracks in it, then water can get under it, then, during the freeze-thaw cycle, it expands and pushes it out, creating aforementioned potholes. 

You want to ensure that your asphalt has the best drainage possible. Piles of leaves prevent this from happening, which leads to damage over time. In order to prevent such damage, when you’re making your leaf piles, do be sure to clean the leaves up, so that any water can properly drain off of your asphalt. 

#2. Driveway Stains 

Many people will buy fake leaves to decorate their homes with during this time of year. However, as pretty as fall leaves are, if left on your asphalt, they can actually end up staining it. This is because leaves have substances that can stain your asphalt if left there, such as tree sap. Stains can be quite expensive to clean, and may necessitate hiring either a professional asphalt contractor to clean them, or, in more severe cases, a replacement of the stained section may be necessary. 

In some cases, the outlines of the leaves can be left behind. While you may like the aesthetic of leaf-designs on your driveway, there are better ways to achieve this than in a way that can negatively affect your asphalt. If you want to change the design of your driveway, consider concrete overlays or stamps or a similar service that customizes your driveway to your liking in a way that won’t damage it.

#3. Decreased Curb Appeal

Fallen leaves can be aesthetically appealing in certain areas. However, in others, they can end up making your space look dirty and uncared for. Your asphalt is one such space that can suffer from a build-up of leaves. If you have a business or you simply want to ensure that you home looks its best, you’ll want to clean up any leaves in order to maintain a clean and presentable asphalt surface. 

Make it a part of your seasonal chores to rake up any leaves that fall on your asphalt, the same way that you shovel snow during the winter. That way, you can enjoy a more aesthetically appealing home and prevent the lifespan of your asphalt from decreasing due to the damage leaves can cause.

#4. Shortened Lifespan

As you can imagine from the aforementioned points, if you leave leaves on your asphalt, you’ll likely notice that it doesn’t end up lasting as long as it would otherwise. You want to not only keep your asphalt looking its best, but also performing its best so that you can get your money’s worth out of it. 

Asphalt replacement is an extensive job, and while it may be necessary eventually, you don’t want to have to get it done more frequently because you’re not properly maintaining your asphalt. You can help your asphalt last as long as it’s supposed to by cleaning up any fallen leaves on it, and thus preventing potential damage and stains to your pavement.

Professional Asphalt Maintenance In Northern Utah

Precision Asphalt Maintenance is here to help you with your asphalt needs. Whether you need some asphalt maintenance done or you have some repairs that need to be addressed or you need to have new asphalt installed, you can count on the experts here at Precision Asphalt Maintenance for top-quality services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your pavement needs.