An asphalt or bitumen driveway does not ask for much, but a bit of regular care goes a long way. With our sun, heavy downpours and constant traffic in and out, surfaces down here can age faster than you would expect. A few simple habits will keep yours looking fresh and hold off the day you need a bigger repair.
Keep it clean
Dirt, leaves and grime slowly wear at the surface, and oil and chemical spills stain it and eat into the binder.
- Sweep it every so often with a stiff broom or a blower before debris settles in.
- Hose it down with mild detergent to lift stains; use a driveway-safe cleaner for anything stubborn.
- Steer clear of harsh solvents and degreasers, which can weaken the surface.
Seal it for protection
Sealing lays down a protective layer that shields the surface from the sun, water and spills. Without it, a driveway is far more likely to fade, crack and turn brittle.
- Reseal every two to four years, more often if the driveway cops a lot of traffic.
- If the surface looks faded, or water soaks in instead of beading up, it is due for another coat.
- Use a sealer made for asphalt or bitumen, and in our heat, a UV-resistant one to slow the sun's damage.
Fix cracks early
Small cracks do not stay small. Water gets in, works down, and a hairline crack becomes a pothole that damages tyres and costs real money.
- Use a bitumen-based filler on hairline cracks before they widen.
- Apply it in dry, mild weather so it bonds properly, and let it cure before driving on it.
- If cracks are wider than a few millimetres, or they keep coming back, it is time to call in a proper repair or resurface.
Keep water off it
Water is the biggest threat to any driveway here. If it does not drain, it causes cracking, sinking and base damage.
- Watch for puddles after rain; standing water means the fall needs adjusting.
- Keep gutters and drains clear so runoff is not washing at the edges.
- A slight slope helps water flow away rather than pooling.
Go easy on heavy loads
Driveways are built for cars, but excess weight leaves its mark. Avoid always parking in the same spot, put plywood under anything heavy like a skip bin, and keep heavy machinery off the surface during any building work.
Mind the heat
Our summers are hard on asphalt. On very hot days the surface softens, so keep heavy loads off it during a heatwave, avoid spilling fuel or oil while it is soft, and hose it down to cool it if it feels tacky underfoot.
Know when to call in help
Even with good care, there comes a point where a patch will not cut it. If the surface is rough and faded, cracks keep returning, or water no longer drains, a fresh layer of asphalt or bitumen will restore it without a full replacement.
We look after driveways across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba. If yours needs more than a quick tidy-up, get in touch and we will take a look and give you a written quote at no cost.