Must Know Tips to Prevent Damage to Your Asphalt Driveway during Heavy Rain
Posted on: 8 August 2016
Asphalt paving is one of the best alternatives when you are setting up a driveway or walkway in your home. Asphalt derives most of its attributes from a black, viscous and sticky liquid called bitumen. It is used when laying the asphalt surface to bind the small aggregate stones together, forming a hard and regular surface when it dries. During the wet season, heavy rains can easily damage the asphalt surface if proper care is not given. Here are some of the tips you will need to combat this challenge effectively.
Look Out for the Trouble Spots on the Driveway
Before the wet season sets in, carry out regular inspections of your asphalt driveway to identify the trouble spots that could lead to large-scale damage. Look out for cracks that will allow water to seep into the asphalt slab and damage the foundation. Light showers may not be a concern when it comes to cracks, but all that changes when the wet season sets in with heavy rain showers nearly every day. Too much water seeping into the asphalt surface softens the sub-grade, enlarges the cracks, creates potholes and eventually breaks down the surface. To add on that, identify any depressions where rainwater collects so that a paving contractor can come in and level them accordingly.
Go for Permeable Paving Alternatives
A reliable way of minimising water-related damage to your asphalt driveway is to go for permeable paving options during installation. Permeable asphalt surfaces are designed such that they get rid of the floodwater resulting after heavy rains. The paving can be designed with holes throughout to let the water pass and seep into the ground underneath. To enhance the look of the paving, you can plant grass in the small holes, which will also help to absorb most of the runoff water. Permeable paving is an eco-friendly option that keeps pollutants from being washed into waterways.
Seal the Surface of the Asphalt Driveway
You can protect the inner layers of your asphalt driveway by using a sealant. You can go for a seal coat with anti-oxidation additives that inhibit the chemical reactions triggered by both rain and the sun's ultraviolet radiation. Alternatively, you can go for slurry seal. It has the same anti-oxidation properties as a seal coat only it adds aggregate to the asphalt surface. This aggregate fills in for the fines of the asphalt paving when they wear off over time. Slurry seals not only keep out water but they also improve the durability of the paving.
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