Understand how you can prolong the life of your asphalt and bitumen driveways.
With the right care and maintenance, asphalt and bitumen roads can last for a long time. Asphalt roads have a minimum lifespan of 20 years, while bitumen roads have five to 10 years if properly taken care of.
What affects the lifespan of asphalt and bitumen roads?
Roads and driveways made of asphalt and bitumen are known to stand the rigours of time. However, certain factors can shorten their lifespan. Among these include:
Temperature and weather conditions
Hot and dry weather can cause pavements and roads to become brittle. Roadways and pavements crack because of the extreme heat of the sun. And when the weather changes and rains occur, water tends to seep through these cracks. Moisture can accumulate on the pavements and cause them to weaken. The accumulated water can also cause the base underneath the roads to wash out, leading to further cracks and eventual collapse of the structure.
Traffic
The amount of traffic that passes on the driveway every day can affect its lifespan. At the same time, the types of vehicles that pass on the roads and driveways also affect the length of time that they remain serviceable. Roadways with low levels of traffic or with light vehicles traversing on them will last longer compared to those with high traffic or heavy vehicles using the roads.
Construction
Well-constructed pavements and driveways will last longer than those that were poorly made. Those who are starting to build their driveways should consider getting professionals when it comes to the installation of their driveway.
Maintenance
No matter how long the predicted lifespan of a roadway is, if it is not properly maintained, the driveway will have to be resurfaced or reconstructed sooner than expected.
How to prolong the lifespan of asphalt and bitumen roads?
Proper maintenance is the key to extending the lifespan of asphalt and bitumen roads. As mentioned above, different factors can cause the roads to crack and have potholes earlier than expected.
Here are some suggestions to protect the roads from wearing out quickly:
1. Cleaning the roadways and pavements
Dried leaves, trash, rocks, sand, and other debris may appear harmless, but if they are not removed, they could cause damage to the roadways. To deal with this, schedule cleaning and sweeping of the driveways at least once a week, especially those driveways that experience high traffic daily. Adding this to the cleaning routine may be a bit challenging, but ensuring that the roadways are safe and free from damage is imperative.
Regularly removing leaves, trash, and other debris will allow owners to immediately spot areas that are starting to deteriorate. The sooner one can spot the cracks, the faster they can be repaired and for a much lower cost.
2. Immediate sealing of cracks and damages
Before the cracks become huge gaps, promptly seal them the moment they are spotted. Coating the pavements will also help prevent moisture from seeping through the cracks. If the deterioration has already started, repairing cracks quickly can stop the deterioration process of the pavement.
3. Using the driveway properly
Often, driveways are used as parking areas for vehicles. Also, children oftentimes use pavements as play areas. Of course, there are times when these cannot be avoided, especially when there are visitors in the house. However, make sure to do these only when necessary. Even though asphalt and bitumen are sturdy materials, pavements are neither meant as parking areas for vehicles nor as playgrounds for children.
4. Removing weeds and other unnecessary growth on the driveway
If the cracks are not immediately filled in, weeds, shrubs, and tree roots may eventually grow through them. Their growth will cause further damage on the roadway. So, remove them immediately.
5. Schedule periodic seal coating
Seal coating of driveways and roads once every three years helps extend the lifespan of roads. A seal coat is like a protective barrier against sun damage and other dangerous elements that can shorten the life of a driveway. Seal coating is also an effective barrier against rain, water overflow, and hail.
Committing to the above suggestions can help maximise the life of the driveway.
What are the other benefits of driveway maintenance?
Aside from addressing the deterioration problem quickly, proper maintenance of driveways can give additional benefits.
- A properly-maintained driveway adds value to the home, especially if the property is in a prime location.
- Filling in the cracks and potholes can prevent safety issues such as punctured tyres and vehicle damage.
- Costly driveway repairs and replacement can be prevented if cracks and potholes are detected right away.
- It is easier to move around if the driveway is free from cracks and potholes.
- Identifying the driveway problems right away translates to bigger savings in the future.
Seek professional help to extend the life of your driveway.
DIY driveway maintenance is quite popular nowadays. However, nothing can replace the knowledge and experience of professionals when it comes to driveway maintenance. Only professionals spot potential problems that could cause costly repairs in the future. Further, only experienced driveway maintenance persons can offer better solutions when it comes to the repair of a damaged driveway. They can advise if the road can still be repaired or if there is a need to repair or reconstruct the damaged pavement.
Get in touch with experts from Northern Highways Bitumen now.
Northern Highways Bitumen provides high-quality and cost-effective roadway maintenance for asphalt and bitumen driveways. Call our specialists today at 1300 858 751 or send us an email at sales@northernhighwaysbitumen.com.au to know more about how we can help with your driveway needs.
Aside from the proper maintenance of your asphalt and bitumen driveways, we can also assist with new driveway installation for your home or business. Contact us today for an obligation-free quote.
