Many people are unaware of the importance of asphalt maintenance. Though they may understand the importance of having repairs when necessary, it can be easy to neglect your asphalt surface after it has been installed. With the appropriate asphalt maintenance, you can ensure that your asphalt surfaces remain in great condition for as long as possible. When you fail to provide the appropriate maintenance for your asphalt, you are likely cutting its lifetime short, rather than extending it. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind about why you need asphalt maintenance.

Why You Need Asphalt Maintenance

It is crucial to ensure that you provide the regular maintenance for your asphalt surface. When you don’t, your asphalt surface will need to be replaced far sooner than will otherwise be necessary. Maintenance is always the best approach to take for your asphalt. When you provide regular maintenance, you can prevent expensive repairs and replacement from becoming necessary. Asphalt maintenance is generally a much more affordable alternative to keep your asphalt surfaces in great condition for years to come.

Prevent Deterioration

When an asphalt surface isn’t well-maintained, it is highly likely to deteriorate. Deterioration is not necessarily something that can be repaired easily, because it often involves damage that simply escalates over time. The appropriate maintenance can go a long way toward preventing the deterioration of your asphalt surfaces. This can help to prevent many issues because it minimizes the overall escalation of damage. When an asphalt surface is allowed to deteriorate, it will likely need to be replaced sooner rather than later. The necessity of replacement can be avoided with the use of routine asphalt maintenance. This is just one of the major benefits that come along with routine asphalt maintenance.

Increase Lifespan

As previously mentioned, damage to an asphalt surface tends to escalate over time. When this damage is allowed to progress, it often becomes necessary to completely replace the asphalt surface. Alternatively, when you provide regular maintenance, you will increase the overall lifespan of your asphalt surface. This tends to be not only more convenient, but also more affordable. Routine maintenance to an asphalt surface is relatively easy to obtain, while having to replace your asphalt surface can be a much more difficult undertaking. Routine maintenance goes a long way toward increasing the lifespan of your asphalt surface.

When Cracks Appear

Cracks can lead to many additional issues with your asphalt surface. Though they may initially seem like cosmetic concerns, they often indicate additional problems. A crack that is present on your asphalt surface will allow water, snow, dirt, and other elements to seep into the cracks. This often causes the crack to expand, as well as makes the foundation vulnerable to damage. Cracks generally look bad on the surface, as well as indicate additional problems. It is important to ensure that you have cracks repaired as soon as possible to prevent the damage from escalating a substantial amount over time. Regular inspections can go a long way toward finding cracks early on and having them repaired.  

When Cracks Remain

Cracks simply escalate over time, which is why it is critical to ensure that they are repaired as quickly as possible. When cracks are allowed to remain on an asphalt surface, it is likely that more and more cracks will appear as the asphalt foundation weakens. This results in a cluster of fractures that are referred to as alligator cracks. Once alligator cracks have arisen, the asphalt surface will need to be removed and replaced in order to repair the surface. It is often far easier to have a single crack repaired quickly, rather than having to replace the asphalt after alligator cracks have appeared. Regularly inspect your asphalt surface in order to find cracks in the early stages, before they are allowed to escalate to more severe degrees.

Maintenance is Easier than Repairs

In most situations, maintenance is a much easier step to take than repairs. It is easier to prevent damage to your asphalt surface than it is to repair damage after it has occurred. A seal coat layer is one of the best maintenance steps that you can take for your asphalt surface. Seal coat works much like putting lotion on dry skin. It helps to keep the surface of the asphalt moisturized and looking nice. In addition, a seal coat helps to prevent cracks that can lead to much more severe damage. If cracks are already present on the asphalt surface, a seal coat layer is a great option. This is because it can help to seal the cracks that already exist. It can be extremely beneficial to regularly have a seal coat layer implemented to your asphalt surface. This can help to keep it in good condition.

Maintenance or Replacement?

When you obtain routine maintenance, you can prevent replacement from becoming necessary. Providing routine maintenance roughly every 3 to 5 years can go a long way toward protecting your asphalt surface. This step can extend its overall lifetime. However, if you neglect to provide maintenance to your asphalt surface, it is likely that you will need to have it replaced within 5 to 10 years of having it installed! The difference in cost between maintenance and replacement are pennies to the dollar. It is a much more convenient and cost-effective solution to provide routine maintenance to your asphalt surface than to have your asphalt surface replaced after it has fallen into disrepair.

Routine maintenance is extremely important to keep an asphalt surface in good condition. When you don’t provide the appropriate maintenance for your asphalt surface, it is highly likely that you will have to have it replaced rather quickly. At Top Job Asphalt, we offer multiple services to keep your asphalt surfaces in the best possible condition. We are capable of implementing a seal coat layer to keep your asphalt in good condition. To learn more about the importance of routine maintenance for your asphalt surface or to obtain our services, contact our experienced team at Top Job Asphalt today!