Asphalt paving is a great service. However, you need it done right when looking for a long-lasting driveway. There are also many other common mistakes that can shorten the life of it. When done right, a quality driveway should last at least twenty years. However, it is also common to see many don’t even last a quarter of that. These are complex projects and should be dealt with accordingly.

An asphalt paved driveway is used both domestically and also commercially. Many parking lots are asphalt paved and also many home driveways are too. There are other solutions as well. However, asphalt paving is one of the best driveway options available today. So, here are few mistakes that you definitely want to avoid in order to make yours last long:

1: Planning for Your Asphalt Paved Driveway Wrong

The first step of any project is planning. Similar is the case with asphalt paved driveway. You will need a quality asphalt paving company to do the initial survey on your piece of land where it is to be laid. There are many different factors that should go into consideration, including:

· The floor or ground and soil underneath situation and its formation

· Temperature fluctuations and general weather condition in the area

· How much does it rain during the rainy season and other times of the year

· What kind and size of traffic is to be expected on the driveway

· Is it a vehicle passing driveway or will there be vehicle parked on it?

Different weather conditions require different asphalt mixture. Also, the amount of weight to be expected on the driveway, will vary the material composition too. All these factors should be analyzed while the planning stage.

2: Failure to Control the Material

Many times, driveways don’t use asphalt layer. In this case, you need to control the material perfectly. Too much material or it coming out in fluctuating amounts can give the driveway those unwanted annoying waves and lines. This completely destroys the look and feel of your driveway.

This is actually one of the most common driveways paving mistakes. The material has to be controlled properly for it to come out smooth. Surface levels can degrade over time when material doesn’t get controlled during laying down as well. Equipment and experience count the most.

3: Asking Your Contractor to Go Too Fast and Hasty

Quite often, home or commercial property owners can hassle the driveway paving company. This is never a good idea. Laying down asphalt pavement is a complex process with several stages. Starting from ground underneath preparation to the final coating, everything takes its required time.

All steps should be treated according to their time requirement. Some stages require proper cooling and adhering of the materials. Others require leaving the surface alone for several days for settling before continuing. So, make sure not to hassle your contractor and let them do things their way.

4: Selecting the Wrong Contractor Altogether

Another grave mistake is to select the wrong contractor altogether. If you see ads on social media or on any other platform, don’t trust what they have to say. Laying down asphalt driveway is a complex process that requires a lot of patience, experience and skill.

If you contractor is missing on any of these skills, the finished job will not be what you want. So, make sure to get personal feedbacks from previous clients. If you neighbor has a nice driveway that has lasted a good time, ask them for reference.

5: Asphalt Not Sealed Properly

People doing their own asphalt work, have to remember that it has to be sealed too. Failure to seal your asphalt properly will result in it losing its composure quicker. Bits of it will start to come lose as weather takes it toll. This is also why you need a good paving company to lay it for you.

When not sealed properly, asphalt surface degradation happens faster than you anticipate it. You not only have to use the right kind of sealant but its amount has to be right as well. Balancing it out properly is the best way to make your paved driveway stand the test of time and elements.

6: Not Caring About Mulch and Oil on the Driveway

Quite often, commercial and domestic driveways can be platforms for mulch and oils. Leaky engines resting on top can give rise to oil stains settling into the asphalt. When left for too long, dark oils merge with the materials of your paved surface.

Also, if you get a lot of mulch deliveries on the driveway and don’t remove it quickly, it can stain pretty bad. Although, there are ways to remove these stains, they are laborious and time taking. So, it is always best to seal your leaky engines and sort the mulch out before it stains the driveway.

7: Ignoring All Those Organic Growths on It

More often than we’d like to see, organic growth on or around the driveway can damage it. Some worst cases even have weeds growing out of the paved surface. For starters, you should always get the soil sealed for organic growing. If not, it will sneak through the surface.

Most often, organic growing on or near the paved driveway can cause cracks on it. So, make sure to get your floor properly sealed and eliminate any growing if it happens anyway. Proper treatment will always guarantee a much longer lasting asphalt paved driveway.

7 Driveway Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Asphalt Quickly