The Asphalt Kingdom Blog

Faded or oxidized asphalt is an eyesore. Keep your asphalt driveway looking fresh and brand new with these tips and suggestions!

Have you wondered why new asphalt looks rich, dark and thick, while old asphalt driveway pavement is gray, flaky and stony? That is because bitumen (tar), which mixes and holds the stones together to form asphalt, has dried out. When freshly laid, asphalt is very flexible and can withstand wear and tear. So why does asphalt turn gray? With continuous exposure to the sun, the bitumen gets eroded, and your asphalt starts to lose its deep color and flexibility.

Your pavement is a workhorse and supports everything you do. However, any pavement can develop eyesores and problems. Whether you have asphalt or concrete, a driveway or a parking lot, there are solutions to keeping your pavement in working order.

Asphalt, by nature, matures and ages through time. Prolonged exposure to the sun and other natural elements cause it to grow brittle, which leads to flaking and cracking. Filling cracks is an important factor in asphalt maintenance. It helps prevent additional damage by keeping moisture from seeping into the foundation, and avoid weakening the asphalt even further.

Have you ever twisted your ankle in a pothole? Or stared at a parking lot, realizing cracks and craters aren’t sending professional business vibes? Whether it’s a residential driveway or a commercial parking space, asphalt repair is necessary. But what’s the best way to fix these blemishes? 

• Overgrown tree roots, oil spills, and the elements can cause cracks in your asphalt.
• Planning to fix driveway cracks yourself? You can do it using different products.
• You can also hire a contractor to fix wider cracks or extensive alligator cracking.

Whether you are a homeowner or a property manager in charge of running an airport or storage facility parking lot, keeping your asphalt driveway or parking lot in good shape is a worthwhile investment. Asphalt is much like our skin - it ages and matures as time passes. Asphalt also requires care and attention, in order to maintain its fresh appearance and life span. Read on to learn tips and best practices on how to care for your blacktop.

Table of Contents

• Why Asphalt Pavements Develop Cracks
• Different Options to Repair Asphalt Cracks

Whether you are looking to buy recycled asphalt or are looking to recycle your own asphalt and simply refresh your asphalt surface, you will save money by using recycled asphalt.

Before a potential customer or tenant steps inside your establishment, the first thing they usually notice is the appearance of your parking area. How well a parking lot is maintained, or how degraded it appears at first sight, speaks volumes regarding your business’s upkeep.

If you are undergoing a paving project that requires blacktop excavation, it's important to understand the specifics of how to cut asphalt. This guide will help you get started.

Line striping is a necessary step in any complete asphalt maintenance process. It’s that finishing touch that takes a fully maintained and sealed parking lot to the next level, while creating an attractive means of keeping traffic on the property organized and safe. With such important purposes, it’s critical to accomplish this in the most efficient and effective way possible—for the good of your property and your wallet.

Using a line striping machine to do so holds three significant benefits:  

Winter is often the most damaging time for your asphalt, especially if you live in a place where it freezes. You can keep your parking lot, easement, driveway or other asphalt in tip-top shape without paying a contractor thousands of dollars by performing the best cold patch asphalt repair by yourself.

It’s easier than you think!