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Since the liquid asphalt in blacktop needs time
to harden and cure, usually 6-12 months, your asphalt will remain soft and
pliable until then. You may walk on your new asphalt immediately, but keep
automobile traffic off it for at least 3 full days and longer in hotter
temperatures. Even after the asphalt has cured, do not expect it to be as
hard as concrete.
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Your new asphalt will soften and harden as temperatures
rise and fall. Watering down your driveway with a hose on hot days will
cool and temporarily harden blacktop. This is helpful but not mandatory.
If soap suds should appear do not be alarmed. This is a reaction between
the diesel fuel found in asphalt and a high chlorine content found in some
city water. Although every effort is made to avoid puddles in your driveway,
some small ones are inevitable depending on the natural slope and drainage
of your ground.
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Asphalt is scarred by automobiles starting out
too fast, pulling in too quickly and just plain driving too fast.
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During the first 6-12 months while your asphalt
is curing don't park in the same spot every time. Do not turn your steering
wheel back and forth when your car is not moving.
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Avoid using jack stands or car ramps unless a
piece of plywood is placed under them to help distribute the weight.
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Excessive weight from large heavy vehicles can
depress your new asphalt. Keep oil trucks, concrete trucks and any other
heavy trucks off your new driveway. When storing campers for long periods
of time, place a piece of plywood under the tongue jack and also under the
tires.
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Lawn chairs, bicycle and motorcycle kickstands
exert weight on concentrated areas and will create holes and depressions
in your new asphalt especially during warm months.
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The edges are the weakest part of your asphalt
due to the lack of side support. Avoid driving on the edges since they will
crack and crumble in time. We suggest building up the sides of your asphalt
with topsoil. This will support the edges and enhance the appearance after
the grass is grown.
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Your asphalt may look smoother in some areas
than in others because of the makeup of blacktop. Asphalt has various sizes
of stone, sand, liquid asphalt, and other ingredients which cause a varied
texture of the surface. Also, asphalt areas that have been raked and spread
with hand tools may appear different in texture from those spread by machine.
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Avoid gasoline, oil, anti-freeze, power steering
and transmission fluid spills and leaks. These will dilute the liquid asphalt
in your asphalt. Any hole left by these spills should be filled with cold
patch. Any hairline cracks that may have developed over the winter due to
the contraction and expansion of the ground should be filled with crack
filler. These products can be purchased from your local building supply
store.
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To preserve your new asphalt, it is advisable
to seal coat it after it has been paved. Sealing too soon, however, may
cause damage to your new drive. The best time to seal is 4-6 weeks after
it has been paved, and every 2-3 years thereafter. Because blacktop is naturally
porous, water can seep into and through the paving. This not only causes
deterioration, but results in ridges and upheaval due to frost and freezing.
Asphalt is also softened and broken up by gasoline, lube oil, grease, road
salts and anti-freeze which drips from cars. Sealer protects asphalt with
a coating that is impervious to these harmful elements. Unprotected asphalt
remains porous, dries out, becomes rough, and loses it life rapidly.
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Again, we thank you and sincerely appreciate
your business!
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