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How Long Should My Driveway Last?

A typical driveway should last 20+ years if properly maintained in the Rochester, NY climate. To preserve your investment and prolong the life of your driveway, there are some helpful hints to follow.

 

Preserve Your Driveway

Asphalt needs time to cure. You should stay off your new driveway 5-7 days after installation. Your driveway may take up to one year to fully cure.

 

Driveway maintenance is very important to prolong the life of new investment.

 

  • Seal coat your newly installed driveway the following year and every 2-3 years thereafter. This will keep the surface protected from the damaging UV rays that dry out the asphalt, while restoring the driveway to its original luster.

  • At the first sign of cracks in your driveway, steps should be taken to fill the cracks with a rubberized-type crack filler. Gone untreated, the cracks will eventually spread, causing further degradation of your driveway surface. Remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

  • Edge your driveway on a regular basis to prevent overgrowth from the lawn, which tends to creep up and along the driveway edges and cause additional cracking from weeds and vegetation.

  • Edges are the weakest part of a driveway. You should avoid driving on or near the edges since they will crack and fail over time. The edges of your driveway should be built back up with topsoil. This will help support the edges and enhance the appearance of your driveway and lawn area.

 

FYI Section – Things to Keep in Mind About Your Driveway

 

Driveways Will Crack

Asphalt driveways were designed as a flex pavement to withstand the sub-surface movement, especially in the freeze/thaw cycles that exist in the Upstate New York area. The amount of movement is determined by the temperature, thickness of frost, and the percent of moisture in the ground. Other possible reasons for cracks could be tree roots or plants too close to the driveway’s edge and their roots may protrude up through the asphalt.

 

Why do weeds and grass grow in driveways?

Vegetation, such as weeds and grass are able to push through asphalt. Believe it or not, asphalt absorbs the suns rays and the heat from hot asphalt can germinate weeds. The best way to avoid weeds and grass in your driveway is to do preventive maintenance and remove all grass clipping from your driveway and adjacent areas. Check out our section on Driveway Maintenance to learn more.

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