Ever notice how fast a smooth new Asphalt Driveway can turn into a cracked headache around Columbia, MO? If you live anywhere from the Bluffs down to Old Southwest, you already know our mid-Missouri weather does not do Asphalt Paving any favors. Between soaring summer humidity and brutal winter temperature swings, your pavement takes a constant beating.
Keeping that Asphalt Driveway in good shape is not complicated, but it does take a little routine attention. Apex Asphalt Solutions wants you to know what it takes to get the most mileage out of your Asphalt Paving investment without wasting money on needless Asphalt Repairs.
How to Extend the Life of Your Driveway
The secret to a long-lasting Asphalt Driveway is keeping water out of the sub-base. Asphalt is naturally flexible, but once moisture gets trapped underneath and freezes, it expands with enough force to break the material apart.
Apex Asphalt Solutions always tells homeowners that Sealcoating is your best defense. Applying a fresh coat of Sealcoating every two to three years locks out moisture and shields the binder from harsh UV rays that dry it out. Make sure you are scheduling this Sealcoating work during late spring or early fall when daytime temperatures are steady and the Asphalt material can cure right.
What Regular Maintenance Looks Like
You do not need to spend every weekend babying your pavement, but a few simple habits will save you thousands of dollars down the road. Apex Asphalt Solutions recommends these regular steps for your Asphalt Driveway:
- Keep your Asphalt Driveway clean by blowing off leaves, dirt, and organic debris so moisture does not sit on the surface.
- Inspect your edges. The side margins of an Asphalt Driveway take a lot of weight from tires and tend to crumble first if they are not supported.
- Wash away chemical spills or heavy oil leaks quickly before they break down the liquid Asphalt binder.
Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Catching problems early is the only way to avoid a full Asphalt Tear-Out. Keep your eyes open for these red flags during your weekly routine:
Hairline cracks are normal as an Asphalt Driveway ages, but once they open past a quarter-inch, they are inviting winter ice right into your foundation. Alligator cracking, where the surface breaks up into interconnected patterns resembling reptile skin, usually means the stone base underneath has failed and can no longer support vehicle weight. Puddles that refuse to drain hours after a heavy mid-Missouri downpour are another clear sign of shifting sub-grades or settling in Columbia, MO.
When to Call a Professional
Do-it-yourself crack filler from the hardware store is fine for a quick weekend patch on a tiny hairline fracture, but it will not fix structural issues. If you are seeing widespread alligator cracking, deep depressions where your car parks, or potholes that keep coming back no matter how many tubes of patch you squeeze into them, it is time to bring in backup. Call Apex Asphalt Solutions when the Asphalt damage goes past the surface layer, and our team will come take an honest look at what it will take to get your Asphalt Driveway back in shape in Columbia, MO.