Don't Let Your Basement Become Wasted Space

Whether you're paving a dirt driveway with asphalt or replacing an old asphalt driveway, it is important to know how to care for it in order to protect your investment and keep your new driveway looking great. Luckily, caring for and maintaining an asphalt driveway is not overly difficult. Use the following tips to help keep your new asphalt driveway in excellent condition for many years to come:

Keep Vehicles Off of Your Driveway for Several Days

Asphalt does not dry and harden instantly, so it is important to keep vehicles off of your new driveway for several days after it is installed. If your driveway is paved during the hot summer months, you should avoid driving or parking on it for several additional days, since heat can make it take longer for asphalt to set. Driving on an asphalt driveway in the first few days can cause a lot of damage that may be difficult to repair.

Know That a Driveway Needs Time to Cure

After several days, you can park on your new asphalt driveway, but it is important to note that it can take a bit of time for asphalt to cure and become completely hard. In some cases, depending on the climate your live in, it is possible for the curing process to take up to a year. If you live in a warm climate, it may take your asphalt driveway longer to cure completely. While your driveway is curing, take extra care to help prevent damage.

Consider a Coal Tar Sealant

When your asphalt driveway is initially paved, it is not sealed since it has to cure first. After your driveway is completely cured, you may want to consider hiring an asphalt contractor to apply a coal tar sealant. This type of sealant places a protective layer over your asphalt and is very good at protecting it from gas or oil leaks. In addition, a coal tar sealant gives your driveway a dark black color that makes it look as good as new.

Don't Park Near the Edges

No matter what the size of your asphalt driveway is, it is important for all vehicles to park near the middle and avoid the edges. The edges of an asphalt driveway have the least amount support, so parking a vehicle on or near the edge can cause the asphalt to crack or crumble. After your driveway is cured, you can add support to the edges through the use of topsoil or grass, but it is still better to park in the middle of the driveway. 

For additional advice, contact a company like Phend & Brown.