Asphalt is a well-known and common construction material used for both residential and commercial projects. It's strong, durable, and comfortable to walk and drive on. If you are considering asphalt for your driveway, pathway, or similar, here are some things you may want to know about it.

Sealcoating is strongly recommended

Asphalt is known for its robustness and longevity and by maintaining it properly, you can extend its lifespan further. It's worth having your asphalt seal coated every two years. This essentially adds a protective barrier to the asphalt and prevents water from permeating into the surface. It also offers great stain prevention. Rather than stains and water seeping into the asphalt, they are propelled with the seal coat. This can prevent the subgrade materials from shifting and potholes from forming. It can also fill in small cracks before they have a chance to become big ones.

Sealcoating provides the asphalt with a lustrous and renewed finish. Asphalt can fade over time, and seal coating restores its deep black colour. By doing this, you can maintain the integrity of your asphalt and its appearance.

Asphalt can be 100% recycled

One thing that many don't know about asphalt is that it can be 100% recycled. Recycled asphalt works virtually as well as brand-new asphalt and can be a fraction of the cost. If you do decide to get asphalt, and decades down the track it needs ripping up, you can be assured that your old driveway won't end up in landfill. This can reduce your carbon footprint compared to if you were to get another less eco-friendly option.

It is better to have your asphalt laid in the warmer months

When the weather is hot, it makes the ground warm, and this keeps the asphalt pliable and easier to roll out and compact. When the weather is too cold, the asphalt can seize up and this can make laying it more difficult. Additionally, warmer weather helps with the curing process and enables the asphalt to set properly.

Asphalt requires maintenance

Like most things, asphalt requires maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape for a long time to come. Along with regular seal coating, it's a good idea to give your asphalt a sweep over with a broom every week to remove any loose debris that may have made its way to the surface. This ensures that things such as rocks don't become embedded in the asphalt from cars driving over them. You should inspect the surface for cracks or spills, if there are any, have them cleaned up and repaired as soon as you can to prevent them from affecting the integrity of the asphalt.

You'll need to wait for a minimum of 48 hours before you can drive on it

Asphalt cures faster than most other driveway materials but, it still needs time to cure before it can be driven on. At a minimum, you should wait at least 48 hours before using your new driveway just to be sure it has had enough time to cure.

What your newly laid asphalt will be used for will affect how thick it needs to be

If your bitumen driveway Brisbane will be used for heavy machinery, your asphalt needs to be laid thicker than what it would if cars were to solely use it. Failing to do this can cause your asphalt to sink due to the weight resulting in potholes. To protect your asphalt, you should store heavy items on the surface for extended periods.

If it's been raining, your asphalt project may be postponed

To ensure a long-lasting and structurally strong finish, asphalt is best laid when the ground is dry. When the ground is too wet, it can affect how well the subgrade materials can be compacted. Applying asphalt to the ground when it is excessively wet may see it crack and deteriorate sooner than it should. If you have an asphalt project scheduled in and it has been raining in the lead-up to your booking, it may be rescheduled to ensure it can be installed properly.

Repairs are cost-effective and straightforward

If your asphalt ever needs repairs at a later date, they are affordable and simple to complete. Smaller-sized cracks, indentations, and holes can be filled using an asphalt liquid crack filler. This can be purchased at any good hardware store and this penetrates deep into the imperfection to restore integrity while preventing water from penetrating into the lower layers and disrupting the subbase materials. If the extent of the damage is widespread or bigger than a small crack or indentation, you may need to have it professionally repaired. A patch repair or resurfacing can help to rectify these issues. While these two things are more expensive, they are far less costly than having to do an entire replacement. Often this is required when the damage has been left untreated for an extended period of time.

Asphalt needs to be laid properly to last

Asphalt is only durable when it's been installed properly. Hiring someone who doesn't use the correct installation processes, will leave you with a substandard finish that isn't going to last. Laying asphalt requires a certain level of skill and quality equipment needs to be used to complete the job to a high standard. An asphalt professional will ensure it's the correct thickness, the installation method is accurate, and that drainage has been incorporated into the design if required.

Bitumen and asphalt are not the same

Despite popular belief, asphalt and bitumen are entirely different construction materials. Bitumen is the binding agent in asphalt. Asphalt is a preferred choice as it is aesthetically more appealing and typically longer lasting. Asphalt is generally priced higher than bitumen alone but as it lasts for considerably longer, it makes it worth the extra dollars.

Contact the professional team at Colossal Allies Asphalt!

If there's anything else you'd like to know about asphalt, feel free to reach out to the team at Colossal Allies Asphalt. We specialise in all things asphalt, and we can answer any questions you may have. Our asphalt applications are second to none and were the Gold Coast's leading asphalt team with more than 30 years of industry experience. Contact us today for an obligation-free quote.