If you are looking for a guide on how to avoid cracks and splits in my driveway then you are on the right article.
The most common cause of cracks in asphalt driveways is the pressure exerted by vehicles. The weight of the car, combined with its motion can create deep splits or even holes in your driveway. This problem is exacerbated by climatic changes, bad weather, and the settling of the earth’s surface.
A solution to this problem is to place a layer between your driveway and the ground. This will provide extra cushioning for any weight that might otherwise get applied directly onto your asphalt, which could lead to cracking or splitting over time if left untreated.
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How to avoid cracks and splits in my driveway
We are going to discuss the most searchable query in the construction industry which is how to avoid cracks and splits in my driveway. Let’s have a look our 7 tips on this topic.
1. Make sure your driveway is level
In order to avoid cracks in your asphalt driveway, make sure that the driveway is level. In order to do this, you’ll need a spirit leveler or a large balloon that you can inflate and then place on the ground. To determine if it’s level, place the balloon in the middle of your driveway and give it a gentle push. If it moves in any direction, either side-to-side or up and down, then the surface is not level. This will increase the chances of your driveway developing cracks.
2. Use a sealant to protect the edges of your driveway from cracking and splitting
If you notice cracks or splits around the edges of your asphalt driveway, the sealant may have come loose over time. This is usually due to bad weather, poor maintenance or settling of the earth’s surface. To prevent this from happening in the future, make sure that you seal the edge with a neat line of sealant every six months.
3. Fill any deep cracks in your asphalt so water doesn’t pool on top and create more problems.
If you find any large cracks in your asphalt driveway, one of the best things that you can do is to fill them with crack filler. This will allow water that’s collecting on top of the cracks to escape without pooling inside them and creating more problems. The less water there is on top, the more likely it is that they’ll be able to fill without cracking and splitting.
4. Keep leaves, grass clippings, and other debris off of your driveway
Leaves, grass clippings, and other debris can be a sign that you need to mow your lawn. However, if they’re piled up on top of your asphalt driveway, they can make it more likely for the surface to crack or split over time. In order to prevent this from happening, try to rake them into piles and then dispose of them regularly.
5. Use liquid asphalt in cracks and holes in your driveway
If you find any deep cracks and holes in your asphalt driveway, liquid asphalt is a great way to fill them. This can be very effective in protecting the surface from further erosion and will give it more time before it needs to be replaced entirely.
6. Determine whether your driveway needs to be resealed
In order to avoid cracks in your asphalt driveway, it’s important for you to determine if the asphalt driveway sealer requires resealing. This can usually be done by performing a simple test that will allow you to see the condition of the material that’s protecting the surface from further deterioration. To do this, try scraping a small section of your driveway with a piece of metal and see what happens. If the surface is still intact, then this indicates that it’s still protecting the asphalt underneath and you can avoid resealing for now.
7. Replace damaged sections to prevent damage from spreading
If any of the cracks in your driveway are particularly bad, it may be time to consider a replacement. This will help you avoid any further damage that can happen if the problem is left untreated.
Conclusion
This article is about how to avoid cracks and splits in my driveway. An asphalt driveway needs continuous maintenance, because its surface can be altered and, in the worst case, deep cracks or splits can be created. The most common causes of its deterioration are attributable to the pressure exerted by the vehicles themselves, as well as to climatic changes, bad weather, and settling of the earth’s surface.
Extra helpful information that helps clarify why something is important / not needed: Readers looking to avoid cracks and splits will want to use their driveway as little as possible to decrease the pressure put on it. When pressure is applied, asphalt shifts because it has no structural strength on its own. If the shifting continues, the asphalt will develop cracks and splits on its surface.