] In an effort to spare your property from damage and costly repairs, it truly pays to practice preventative measures. Today we’ll discuss driveway paving in Peterborough and the early signs that it needs your immediate attention.
As a proud homeowner, you do everything you can to keep your property in pristine shape. Your garden is always well-kept, and the walls are continuously refreshed with a generous coat of paint, but there has always been a lot left to be desired when it comes to your driveway.
Eventually, you decided it was time to address the eye-sore of your home and had a beautiful asphalt driveway installed. What an impeccable choice! All of your neighbours filled the atmosphere with positive feedback, and some walked away with envy as clear as day on their faces. Your home has never looked better!
The simple driveway facelift has done wonders for both your property value and aesthetics, but preventative maintenance and seeing the early signs are crucial to keep it that way. Continue reading to learn more about the early signs of driveway paving deterioration in Peterborough, and remember to visit C Aurora Paving Ltd to enquire about our services.
Three Early Signs Of Asphalt Paving Deterioration.
Just as a car depreciates in value the instant you drive it off the lot, so does asphalt paving from the moment it is installed. Although asphalt is a relatively durable and flexible material, it does demand maintenance every few years to keep it in good condition. However, if you neglect regular maintenance, such as sweeping and applying a sealant, you make the surface susceptible to damage.
Of course, asphalt will deteriorate in its own right, as does everything, but noticing and addressing the early signs of deterioration will ensure you get as much out of your driveway as possible.
So, without any more delay, let’s discuss the three most common signs of distress in your driveway paving in Peterborough:
- Changes in colour. A healthy asphalt paving is a dark charcoal colour, but it begins to oxidize when left exposed to the elements. Asphalt oxidation will change the paving colour to grey/brown.
- Ravelling occurs when the binding agent in asphalt breaks down due to oxidation. When exposed to UV rays, the aggregates in the asphalt begin to unravel, resulting in excess gravel, sand, and rock on your driveway.
- Evident cracking. New asphalt paving is flexible, allowing it to carry heavy traffic loads. However, when the paving begins to oxidize, it loses some of its flexibility and instead becomes rigid and stiff. As a result, the pavement is more susceptible to cracking, and when it does crack, it can incur more damage such as potholes, alligator cracks and surface depressions.
The Next Step.
Once you notice the early signs of asphalt paving deterioration, you should consider contacting a professional contractor to advise you on the best solutions to prevent further depreciation. Typically, preventative measures will include seal coating and crack-filling but will vary depending on the extent of the damage.
Seal coating will protect the asphalt in its current condition, and crack filling will prevent water from seeping into the base, which could lead to larger cracks and potholes. However, it may be best to scrap the driveway entirely and install a new one when extensive damage occurs.
Still, it is essential to care for your asphalt driveway from day one to prevent these early signs altogether, so be sure to speak to your contractor for professional advice on how to preserve your asphalt paving and how often to lay a new coat.
C Aurora Paving Ltd provides professional residential driveway paving in Peterborough and surrounding areas to help properties that are a little worse for wear unleash applaudable curb appeal and efficiency. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or site inspection, and remember to enquire about our concrete edges and catch basins for an efficient driveway.
