When you have a driveway, you should expect to have to do some thinking about proper asphalt maintenance, so it helps to have some background so you can make informed decisions. That way, you can take excellent care of the surface without spending more than you need. Here’s a guide to different ways professionals can address issues with your driveway.

Sealcoating

Sealcoating is an asphalt maintenance measure in which technicians apply a sealant layer over the top of your driveway. Schedule this service every few years, or as needed. This extra barrier can help fill small cracks and protect the surface from harmful ultraviolet rays and water seepage. If water is allowed to get into your asphalt, particularly during the winter, it can freeze and then thaw, creating ruptures beneath and on the surface.

Patching

When your driveway has developed a few smaller cracks—less than a quarter-inch wide—it is a candidate for basic patching. In this situation, a technician can inject the crack with a liquid filler, and it should seal back up.

This is ultimately a temporary solution since moisture will eventually work its way into the creases and push the materials apart. However, in the short term, it’s a cost-effective and efficient measure. If cracks are bigger than a quarter inch, you can ask for an infrared patch, which will introduce fresh, hot asphalt into the damaged area.

Repaving

There are times when patching is no longer worth it. For instance, if the cracks are deep and widespread, the repairs will end up being almost as costly or even more so than a repaving. Repair work never looks quite as seamless and pristine as when you repave a driveway. It’s also worth considering the driveway’s age. If it’s over 15 to 20 years old, it will continue to break down no matter how diligent you are, so it’s often worth repaving at that point in its life span.

If you need asphalt maintenance, contact the respected asphalt repair professionals at A-1 Services Wisconsin Rapids. Serving the community since 1996, the family-owned and -operated asphalt paving company is fully certified. Request a free estimate anywhere in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, by calling (715) 423-6444, and learn more about the company’s services by visiting their website.