Asphalt Cleaning Benefits: Do It For Looks Do It For A Longer Lifespan

How to Clean Asphalt?

Asphalt cleaning strikes many people as a never-ending waste of time; after all, it will just get dirty again right? What if I told you that it can dramatically extend the life of your blacktop? Parking lots large and small suffer from damage every day that can easily be prevented. If you would like to prevent potholes, cracks, and erosion, here are the steps to follow.

Keep The Surface Clear Of Debris

Cleaning pavement of leaves, garbage, and other debris is about keeping your parking lot looking great, for sure. It’s more than that though. All that stuff will trap moisture and hurt your pavement. Think about it; even the thickest and best lacquer on a tabletop will get water rings from wet glasses. Same goes for moisture trapped on the surface of your parking lot. Asphalt cleaning keeps it free from trapped moisture.

It doesn’t need to be a painful and time-consuming job either. Invest in a good gas blower for clearing pavement and start by blowing off the debris. Work with the wind and direct it to one corner of your lot. This is the perfect way to see the surface clearly and to start assessing the stains.

Fuel Stains Are Destructive

Gas, oil, diesel, transmission fluid, and antifreeze are just some of the vehicle leaks that always end up on your parking lot surface. Asphalt cleaning of these spills is the best thing you can do to extend the lifespan of the pavement.

These stains actually eat away at the asphalt, changing it from a resilient surface to a crumbling brittle mess. Look at any stain that’s been left for any length of time and you can clearly see this happening. This is one of the main ways potholes are created.

Get out there and clean the pavement of these spills with a degreaser cleaner that’s meant for asphalt. Otherwise, you could be doing as much damage with the wrong cleaner as the fuel spill does itself.

Tip For Day-To-Day Cleaning: Nobody, and I mean, nobody, has time to go out every day and scrub up fuel stains! Keep a container of sand or kitty litter handy, and pour a little over the spot to absorb the worst of the mess until you can scrub it properly. It’s the easiest way to mop up excess fuel any time.

Asphalt Cleaning For All Stains

There are many causes of stains, not just what comes out of the vehicles. Food stains, drink spills, colored mulch, and flower blossoms are just a few. These steps will handle all stains, safely and properly. Remember, when you use a degreaser cleaner that’s environmental, it won’t hurt the landscaping and grass nearby.

• Rinse Gently – Pressure washers are handy, but they can just as easily drive the stain deeper into the surface
• Scrub – Use a stiff-bristled brush and work in circular motions to lift up the marks with the degreaser cleaner
• Rinse Again – Wash away the newly-scrubbed area and assess how it looks
• Repeat If Needed
• Last Resort – If the stain still persists, try using a weak bleach and water solution. Let it sit no more than 30 minutes, and rinse thoroughly after. Not the best way to go for your pavement or the environment, but may be the only way to get rid of stubborn stains like colored mulch.

If you're a business owner, cleaning pavement speaks well not only of your parking lot, but about how your whole business takes care. For homeowners, it shows you have pride in your home to keep it well-maintained. Keep the surface clear of debris with a blower or broom. Assess the surface and look for stains. Use kitty litter or sand to soak up fuel spills. Sweep it up before cleaning, and rinse gently with water. Use an environmental degreaser cleaner for asphalt and a scrub brush to scour out the stain. That’s all there is to it. These simple steps will protect your asphalt against untold damage. Asphalt cleaning isn’t just for looks; it’s to extend the lifespan of your parking lot.