Asphalt Maintenance Tips

Is it time to replace your driveway, and you aren’t sure about asphalt vs. concrete? Both products have pros and cons. You might also consider driving around your neighborhood to see what kind of driveway most of your neighbors have. If everyone has asphalt or concrete, that may influence your choice. At 410 Asphalt, we have been installing both types of driveways for years. We know the best time to pour the concrete or lay the asphalt. Proper temperature plays a significant role in both types of material. Asphalt vs. Concrete Basics Concrete is a mixture of gravel, cement, and sand. The cure time for concrete is about a week. It’s durable, strong, and lasts longer than asphalt. Asphalt consists of stone, sand, and petroleum products that hold the mixture together. After the contractor heats it, it’s applied and cools down to become a solid surface. Whether you choose an

Suppose your parking lot or driveway is looking a bit weary. In that case, you may ask yourself, “Does sealcoating fill driveway cracks?” Asphalt cracks are inevitable. Asphalt is quite durable but requires some maintenance to keep it in good shape. With freeze-thaw conditions and natural ground movement, your driveway or parking lot will experience expansion and contraction, creating cracks. Call 410 Asphalt for a professional evaluation and recommendations to fill driveway cracks and keep your driveway in the best possible condition. When To Fill Driveway Cracks It’s best to fill driveway cracks sooner than later. If you see cracks that measure ⅛” or more, it’s time to take action. The longer you wait, the more damage will be done. Your parking lot or driveway will last for 20 or more years with prompt, quality maintenance. If you reach the pothole stage, your time and money spent will grow exponentially.

Is sealcoating worth it after several years of damaging UV rays have been beating down on your asphalt driveway? Does it extend the life of your asphalt? You bet! There are some rules of thumb when it comes to asphalt maintenance that you can read about here. Asphalt is durable and long-lasting. Extend the lifespan of your asphalt by sealcoating your driveway every few years. Call 410 Asphalt, and we’ll send out a technician to assess the condition of your asphalt surfaces and provide you with an estimate. When Is The Best Time For Sealcoating? Sealcoating your asphalt surfaces should be done in the spring or the fall, depending on your weather. The asphalt and air temperatures must be near 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the application and for eight hours after we have applied the sealcoating. What Happens If It’s Too Cold Or Too Hot When Sealcoating? The product won’t

Installing an asphalt driveway is an investment. A sealcoat driveway helps preserve your investment for as long as possible. Applying sealcoating is one way to make your asphalt driveway last longer. The sealcoat driveway will protect the asphalt underneath from environmental hazards, normal wear and tear, and products like oil, gas, and lawn fertilizers. Unfortunately, sealcoating an asphalt driveway only lasts so long. You must reapply it from time to time to provide a long-lasting and durable driveway surface. How Long Does A Sealcoat Driveway Last? A sealcoat driveway can last anywhere from two to five years. Several factors determine how long a seal coat driveway lasts. These factors include the age and condition of the asphalt driveway before the sealcoat was applied, traffic, and how you use your driveway. How Can I Make My Sealcoat Driveway Last Longer? Don’t let potentially hazardous materials lay on the asphalt to get

When is the best time to lay asphalt? Has your driveway seen better days? Knowing the best time to lay asphalt is critical to having your new paving last as long as possible. As with most building materials, temperature is essential for longevity. If it’s too cold, the asphalt won’t cure properly. If it’s too hot, your asphalt will be a mess. Both situations can require the asphalt to be torn out and replaced when the temperature is suitable for adequately curing the material. To find out the best time to lay asphalt, call 410 Asphalt. We’re a licensed professional contractor that will only lay asphalt when we know we can do the job correctly. We take great pride in knowing you’ll enjoy your driveway or any area you want paved for many years to come. What’s The Best Paving Temperature? You’ve been looking at your deteriorating driveway for too

“Can I put asphalt over my concrete driveway and save money?” It is a question often asked. If your concrete driveway is getting tired, worn, and cracked, you’ll want to spruce up your driveway to maintain curb appeal whether you’re selling your house or not. Tearing out, or overlaying, your driveway is a big-ticket item. Having a licensed contractor inspect your driveway will help you make an educated decision. Call 410 Asphalt, and one of our professional technicians will examine your driveway. We will give you the best options to keep your driveway in excellent shape. Tear Out the Concrete or Asphalt Over My Concrete Driveway? If you’ve been considering updating your driveway, or the RV pad currently in concrete, there are several things to consider. Is your concrete buckling like a bronco bull at the rodeo? Do you have massive roots from that gorgeous tree wreaking havoc on the concrete

Sealcoating your asphalt driveway is a great way to make it last longer. It adds a protective layer to prevent damage to the asphalt from water, chemicals, and road salt. To make your sealcoating last, consider these tips to save your asphalt driveway. Patch Cracks and Potholes Before sealcoating, scrutinize the asphalt driveway. You should patch any cracks or potholes larger than ¼ inch before laying down the protective sealcoating layer. This will help your sealcoating do its job and make it last longer, plus your driveway will look brand new with a smooth finish. Clean the Asphalt Driveway First While you’re checking over the driveway for cracks and potholes, make a note of any oil or chemical spots. Once the driveway is crack- and pothole-free, use water and detergent to scrub the driveway, paying particular attention to the oil or chemical spots you found earlier. Hose the driveway down once

Tree root damage can take any asphalt surface and slowly destroy it over time without some due diligence. Whether you’re a homeowner or a commercial property owner, if there are beautiful, grand trees on the grounds near an asphalt surface, you may have a problem on your hands. 410 Asphalt can help provide solutions and recommendations to prevent damage or take care of the problem for you to rest easy. Assessing Tree Root Damage Our driveways or parking areas aren’t usually at the top of our minds until there’s an obvious issue. If you’ve tripped over the buckled asphalt too many times while getting your mail at the curb, it’s time to do something about it. Each time you remind yourself, you’ve got to get that taken care of before it becomes a much bigger problem. Well, now is the time to take some action. Look for Visual Signs The

You just pulled into your driveway. You’ve been putting it off, but you know it’s time to do something about the deteriorating condition. There are questions to ask driveway companies before making a decision. Whether it’s time for a brand new driveway or some much-needed repairs, it’s good to write some questions down. There are several options regarding types of materials, how long the driveway will last, and how much it will cost. Even if you’re no driveway expert, there is certain information you’ll want to be able to provide to the companies you call for estimates. First Step – Inspecting the Driveway Take the time to inspect your driveway. Look for cracks, holes, weeds growing, and anything else that doesn’t belong. Take some pictures of the damage and make a list of your findings. Measure the rough square footage of your current driveway. If you’re considering expanding the surface

Finding the right asphalt company is an important decision. Choosing the right company will save you time and money. But, your decision can also provide you with high-quality, long-lasting material. Finding the right company to work with you can be tricky, as there are many factors to consider. If you’re looking to find the right asphalt company for your project, here are some great tips. Research More Than One Asphalt Company Hiring any contractor requires a certain amount of research. For finding the right asphalt company, you want to ensure that you are working with a quality company that will give you the best outcome for the right price. When it comes to research, Google is your best option. Take your time to research your companies. Important factors to consider are: what sort of work the asphalt companies do, how long they have been in business and their reviews from

Seal coating is transformative. It can restore a faded and damaged asphalt surface in just a few hours and make it look brand new once again. What is Seal Coating? Seal coating is a thin liquid layer that we can add to a surface such as asphalt. Asphalt can be damaged by UV rays, rain, snow, and fluids from vehicles if not appropriately protected. Seal coating is added as a preventative layer to protect from any potential damage. While it won’t protect against cracks or existing damage, it will prevent any further damage from occurring. Not only is it great as a preventative measure, but it also extends the life quality of asphalt. Asphalt Preparation is Key For Seal Coating You need to prepare your asphalt before it is seal coated. It’s important to remember that it isn’t a quick fix solution for damaged asphalt. But, instead, you should use

With proper maintenance, concrete swimming pools can last for years. Eventually, though, you may run into a problem with cracks, chips, or hollow spots on your pool’s surface. If you don’t repair your concrete swimming pool, it could cause more significant problems down the road and put your pool out of commission. Depending on the size and surface area of the damage, you may be able to tackle the swimming pool repair yourself. However, it can’t hurt to have the pros at 410-ASPHALT in Crofton, Maryland, come out to assess the job first. We offer free estimates and can schedule the repair if it’s not something you can DIY. Concrete Swimming Pool Repair – Tools and Materials If you’re ready to repair your concrete pool, gather a few tools and materials first: Safety gloves and goggles Concrete grinder Chisel Hammer Putty knife or flat trowel Pool plaster repair kit 3

Now that summer entertaining is ramping up again, wouldn’t a new patio be the perfect place to gather your friends and family? Putting in a relaxing outdoor patio is a great way to get a bit of the “home away from home” feel without having to leave your property. If you’re ready to begin the process of building a new patio, take these steps to make it happen. 1. Figure Out the Design of Your New Patio When designing your patio, consider the amount of space you have. What shape do you want it to be when you finish it? Do you want a simple concrete slab design or a more rustic feel with free-form slabs pieced together? While you’re considering the details, mark out the basic shape you think you want. You can use string, spray paint, or even buckets strategically placed at what would be the corners of

If you’re in the market for a new driveway, walkway, or sidewalk? Have you ever considered stamped concrete? Stamped concrete, also called imprinted or textured concrete is one of the more popular options. Stamped concrete comes in a wide variety of color and pattern choices. It also has the ability to replicate more expensive materials like flagstone, slate, tile, and wood. Compared to other materials, concrete is more cost-effective and can provide a similar look. When properly maintain regular and colored concrete, it can last for years. Perfect for enhancing your outdoor spaces around the pool, patio, courtyard, and garden. With all the options available, your imagination and budget are the only limitations. You can even use stamped concrete to design countertops and fireplaces or add texture to your interior walls. Kitchens, entryways, bathrooms, and basements can be rejuvenated, bringing your old home to life or making your new home

Most sidewalks in Maryland are made of concrete. Over time, concrete can crack and separate, even more so when trees are nearby, causing roots to lift the concrete slabs. Even though concrete lasts longer than asphalt, patching it can be more difficult. Concrete patches are usually noticeable because it’s difficult to color match, especially if the sun has discolored the concrete. Suppose you’re contemplating a DIY sidewalk repair. In that case, you may be able to do it yourself, depending on the number of cracks and severity of separation. However, if you want a more seamless finish or there are too many cracks for an easy repair, 410 Asphalt in Crofton, Maryland, can tackle the project for you. While asphalt is in the name, we also repair and replace concrete sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways. No job is too big or small, and we work with homeowners, renters, and business

Does your asphalt driveway need a facelift? If you’ve noticed your black asphalt driveway is turning gray, or some cracks or potholes weren’t always there, you may be asking yourself this question; how much does it costs to resurface your asphalt driveway. How much does it cost to resurface an asphalt driveway? The answer is: it depends. So, let’s go over a few questions to ask yourself to determine if resurfacing is the answer or if it’s time to redo your asphalt driveway completely. How Old is Your Asphalt Driveway? Asphalt driveways don’t last as long as concrete driveways. So if your asphalt driveway is 15 or 20 years old, it may be time to redo the entire driveway and start fresh completely. After so much time, patching an old asphalt driveway is like putting a small bandaid on a large wound. Almost immediately, problems arise, and before you know

Speedbumps are a great way to reduce speeding through your complex or parking area, but they can become an eyesore once damaged. Snowplows can’t always see speedbumps or humps as they plow your lot, which can cause damage requiring repair. The same can happen to the curbs around your lot. Over time, curbs and speed bumps can deteriorate under normal wear and tear, especially in busy locations. If it’s been a while since you’ve had maintenance done around your parking lot or complex, you could be dealing with: Faded striping that needs repainting Asphalt that needs to be repaired, seal-coated or replaced Deteriorating speedbumps or humps New curbing to replace damaged sections 410-Asphalt: Your One-Stop Shop for Curbing and Speedbumps At 410-ASPHALT in Crofton, Maryland, we handle the smallest of homeowner’s asphalt and concrete needs up to the large commercial jobs requiring complete replacement. We have top-notch asphalt and concrete

Investing in a new asphalt driveway is an investment. Knowing the right asphalt maintenance dos and don’ts is key to extending the life of your driveway. Pay attention to these dos and Don’ts, so you don’t have to spend more money replacing it sooner rather than later. Do Drive With Care There are a few things you can do when driving on your asphalt pavement to keep it looking new: Allow it to fully cure before driving on it (up to a week in hot weather)Make sure the car is moving before turning the wheel in the first few months of paving to avoid depressions and separatingAvoid driving along the edge of the asphalt pavement to prevent chipping and breakageAvoid parking in the same spot, which can create depressions in the asphalt over time Don’t Allow Heavy Equipment Garbage and dump trucks tend to have heavy loads. Allowing heavy loading

Starting any big project can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure what steps to take before you begin. Suppose you’re planning a project like replacing or repairing your asphalt driveway. In that case, there are several things to consider before your asphalt driveway project can get started. Here are the 4 steps you can take for planning your asphalt project. 1. Evaluate Your Asphalt Driveway Project The very first step to your paving project is to evaluate the current condition of your asphalt surface. Whether you’re planning to repair or replace your home driveway or your commercial parking lot, it’s essential to inspect the existing surface for visible signs of damage: Cracks Potholes Stains Valleys Warping Depending on the surface condition, you could save time and money by repairing the damage and sealcoating the surface. You may be able to tackle minor repairs yourself. If it’s too much for