More homeowners spend years limping along with the same old, cracked and ruined driveway for many years before thinking about giving it a replacement. A lot of the damage on the entrances occurs in the winter and early spring because of the melting snow. If you have realised that your driveway is a mess and needs some refinishing, think about getting an asphalt recarpeting. Below are the qualities which make asphalt the perfect driveway material regardless of the prevailing weather in your region.
Flexibility
Have you ever noticed that when the winter sets in, driveways which have a concrete paving contract and when the heat returns, they expand rapidly, which leads to ugly cracks? Well, the difference between concrete and asphalt is that the latter is extremely flexible. It can withstand summer and winter weather while expanding and contracting uniformly to prevent cracking. It is also important to note that asphalt is less prone to the damage which is caused by rock salt and melting ice during and after the winter.
Curing time
Asphalt is a great material to use for your driveway because it dries up and heals faster than concrete and other materials after the installation. The difference between asphalt and concrete is that asphalt heals when it cools down, which makes the installation faster. This also means that you do not have to avoid using the driveway for weeks after the installation. When the weather conditions are right, you need four days to a week to resume light use of your driveway.
Ease of maintenance and repair
Everyone wants to think that when something goes wrong with their driveway, they will be in a position to fix it without having to call in experts, especially when it is a minor weakness. The great thing about concrete is that when small cracks and weaknesses occur, they can be simply repaired using a sealant. Some DIY enthusiasts even fill up patches using new concrete. Also, other than making sure that the concrete is sealed to keep water out, the material needs minimal maintenance. If you can remember to sweep the leaves away and hose it down when the weather is too hot, and you can avoid any chemical reactions on its surface, an asphalt driveway will serve you for a long time.
These are the main reasons to look for concrete driveways. The spring is the perfect time to install asphalt because the temperatures encourage fast curing.
Share9 October 2018
Pouring concrete isn't necessarily as straightforward as it looks. Depending on the land, you have to make multiple adjustments ranging from laying a layer of gravel to putting in moisture barriers. Then, depending on the size of the concrete pad, you may need to add steel reinforcements. After the concrete has dried and cured, you may decide to add sealants, do an acid wash or play with other finishes. Then, of course, there are differences between pouring concrete inside or outside. In this blog, I hope to cover all those issues and more. If you're looking for tips and ideas, take a look at these posts. Whether you plan to hire a concrete contractor or do the work yourself, it can help to know this information.
