If you have a driveway or a parking lot that you are trying to maintain, you know that it can be a tall order when it comes to dealing with the elements. There are some aspects of nature that are hard on asphalt. The good news is that you can protect your asphalt from these elements that can be so damaging. Andersen Asphalt & Striping is here to talk about how the elements can impact your asphalt surface, and what you can do to provide your asphalt with the protection it needs against them.
How Weather & Elements Affect Asphalt Pavement
Anytime you are dealing with an outdoor surface, you have to consider how the elements are going to impact them. Asphalt is no different. The elements can wreak havoc on your asphalt surface if you aren’t diligent in maintaining it. Here are the different elements and how they impact the lifespan of your asphalt:
– Sun: It’s no secret that the sun can cause serious damage to many things. Not only can it burn your skin, but it can also play a role in breaking down outdoor surfaces like asphalt. The damaging UV rays coming from the sun can play a role in breaking down your asphalt parking lots and driveways. It gets the surface so hot that it can cause significant damage if your asphalt isn’t protected.
– Rain: Moisture is another enemy to asphalt surfaces. Due to fossil fuels, rain that falls from the sky is far more acidic than you think it is. The change in the pH is one of the reasons that it can break down an asphalt surface. This is especially true when there is a lot of cracking on an asphalt surface. If this acidic moisture makes its way into cracks, you will find that the asphalt starts to simply break down.
– Weight: While asphalt surfaces are made to handle heavy vehicles that drive on them, they might not be up to the task of some heavier vehicles. This includes heavy trucks. Heavy trucks that are weighed down with a heavy load can cause your asphalt to crack and break down. If you know that there will be heavy vehicle traffic on your asphalt surface, you might want to consider different kinds of asphalt to handle the weight.
What is the Best Way to Protect an Asphalt Driveway & Other Pavement?
One of the best ways to give your asphalt the protection that it needs is to have it sealcoated. This will protect your asphalt form the elements and wear and tear that is sure to happen with time. You won’t have to worry about premature replacement when you have a company like Andersen Asphalt & Striping take care of your sealcoating services. We will make sure your asphalt is protected against damage and help you avoid replacing it earlier than you have to. Call us today!
