With proper installation and normal use, an asphalt driveway can last anywhere from 12 to 20 years, but the actual life span depends on a variety of factors. While weather conditions and soil quality play a part, your maintenance habits have a major impact on how many years you’ll get out of your blacktop. If you’ve just installed an asphalt driveway, the tips below will help keep it solid, safe, and looking its best for as long as possible.

4 Tips for Maintaining Your Blacktop Driveway

1. Keep Grass Away From the Edges

Grass growing over the edge of your driveway not only looks unsightly, but it can also close off drainage passages and allow water to pool on the asphalt. Pooling water eventually escapes through small cracks in the surface, eventually eroding the material from within, so use an edger along your driveway every time you cut the grass.

2. Keep It Clean

If you park your vehicle on the driveway, eventually you might see oil or transmission fluid stains on the asphalt under the car. Oils can rapidly break down the surface of your driveway, so powerwash the blacktop at least twice a year.

3. Fix Problems Immediately

With even the best blacktop installation, small cracks can become major potholes if they aren’t corrected immediately. As soon as you notice cracks in the asphalt, fill them or have a professional do it for you.

4. Seal It Regularly

Regular sealcoating will protect the blacktop from UV radiation, water, and other environmental hazards that can shorten its life span. Ideally, you should have your driveway resealed every two years, especially if it gets a lot of direct sunlight.

If you’re planning a new driveway installation in the Bayfield, WI, area, the professionals at C & W Trucking will handle the excavation, tear out the old blacktop, and deliver all the materials your contractor needs. Since 1968, they’ve been one of the area’s most trusted trucking companies—known for their reliability and their commitment to safety. To see some samples of their projects, follow their Facebook today, and call (715) 779­-5628 to discuss your project and request a quote.