What Damages Your Asphalt Driveway?

Listed below are some of the typical reasons why asphalt driveways get damaged. Keep on reading below to know more about this and some of the ways you can do to prevent them as much as possible: 

Studded Tires 

Though studded tires can be very helpful during the winter season for you to safely get around snowy streets, they can form holes in your asphalt driveway. So, as much as you can, make sure to prevent repetitive drives over your driveway that use these tire types. 

Tree roots 

Landscapes can help increase the curb appeal of your property. However, when trees are placed too near to asphalt driveways, there’s a tendency that their roots can destroy them from beneath. As they nurture, the tree’s roots will push against the foundation of your driveway, which forces the asphalt to give way.  

The greatest way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that you maintain and check your landscape regularly. For example, don’t plant trees near your driveway or home, and make sure to prune all of your trees properly. Apart from that, take advantage of a root barrier to stop the tree roots from growing in particular areas.   

Heavy loads 

Just like any surfaces, asphalt driveways also contain minimal imperfections that are commonly magnified by force. This construction material usually loses its form especially when it’s exposed to excessively heavyweight. So, when heavy equipment or vehicle constantly park on or travel across your driveway, your driveway will begin to unevenly settle and break apart. As a result, this can cause your driveway to be unstable with potholes and cracks.  

Hence, you need to pay attention to the types of automobiles traveling or parking across your driveway. As much as possible, never try parking multiple cars on asphalt driveways simultaneously and keep other trucks and cars from entering them.  

Water 

Water can infiltrate your paved surface easily. Because of this, your driveway can easily break down as well and the surface layer gets distorted, making them crack eventually. Even though asphalt dries hard, it eventually loses its flexibility. Meaning, even a small crack can destroy your whole driveway.  

Hence, make sure to never let rainwater or other forms of water pool close to your driveway. If you choose to work with expert contractors from Missisauga driveway, they’ll make sure to inspect your asphalt driveway first whether its location is far from where the water drains.  

Poor installation 

An asphalt driveway tends to form cracks when it is poorly installed. When the base is improperly installed, issues will immediately emerge even after it’s recently installed. As soon as the inferior materials become wet, your asphalt driveway will be experiencing uneven pressure that makes them crack.  

Oxidation 

Oxidation takes place when the asphalt becomes exposed to oxygen. Eventually, your asphalt becomes gray and harden. If this happens, your driveway will be less flexible, which makes it prone to cracks, particularly when added with heavy loads.