If you love doing DIY home projects, you have come to the right place. Although asphalt drive repair sound quite daunting at first, but with the right guidelines and tips, it is possible to complete the entire job on your own. However, you should consider doing this on your own only if you are on a tight budget. No matter how good you are with following manuals and videos, you can never complete the job as good a professional would. However here are some essential do-it-yourself tips for professional asphalt repairs Maryland.
Why Are You Repairing Your Asphalt?
Before starting with any repair task, you should first determine if it really needs to be fixed. So, get to the bottom of things, and ascertain the extent of the damage. Have sun rays taken a toll on your asphalt? Has water damaged it? Do you have cracks and potholes in your driveway? If the answer is yes, it is definitely time for a pavement repair. Some of the worst types of asphalt damage are potholes, and if you have them, you will have to remove the saturated base material and repave the entire damaged area. This is a little bit complicated for an amateur, and often, machinery is required to complete the job. If you are not sure how to do it by yourself, it is better to leave the job to a paving expert. Also, in extreme cases, you will have to hire an asphalt repair professional who has the necessary equipment.
Driveway Maintenance
If you want to keep proper care of your paving, you should have your asphalt seal coated on a periodic basis. If you want to seal coat it by yourself, you should do it in every two or three years. If done by a professional, your driveway can be seal coated every four to five years. Proper coating will double the lifespan of your asphalt and minimize the need for concrete repair. Asphalt sealers are relatively inexpensive and in most cases, you will spend only a dime per square foot to have it applied. If done regularly, proper maintenance is a much affordable option than having your pavement repaired every one or two years.
Apart from buying an asphalt sealer, you will also have to purchase a sealer broom and paintbrush. When applying the sealer, you must carefully measure your brush strokes and equally spread the sealer. If you apply it ruthlessly, you will not achieve the desired results. You also must be quick, if not, the seal coat will dry up. To make your job easier, look for sealers with rubber compound. Rubber based sealers are more flexible and water-resistant than regular ones and they will provide much better protection to your concrete.
When Is Time for Paving Repair?
The moment you notice you have cracks in your pavement, it is time to fix it. If you don’t address the issue in a timely manner, the water and the sun will much faster and further damage your driveway. Fix and seal any cracks as soon as you notice them. Concrete paving is not a home improvement task for everybody, and if you are in doubt, you should always seek a local paving contractor's assistance and not take matters into your own hands.