Caring for And Maintaining Your Twin Cities Asphalt Driveway

First, we would like to thank you for entrusting Richfield Blacktop with your asphalt driveway. We know you had several companies to choose from, and we appreciate your confidence in our service. The following information includes care and maintenance items to help keep your driveway in good shape for many years to come. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us anytime.

• The First 14 Days are Crucial – The first 14 days of your new driveway are the most critical period, when it is most vulnerable.
  • Do not drive on your new driveway for 3-5 days.
  • Wait up to 14 days before parking on your new driveway. And when you do, only park on it during the cool part of the day.
• The ‘Next 100 Days’ Curing Period – Asphalt is oil-based and takes time to cure, especially in summer. Special precautions are needed during this period and throughout the first season with your new driveway.
  • Do not park on asphalt during the hottest part of the day.
  • Do not turn your steering wheel when the car is stopped.
  • Keep motorcycle and bicycle stands, boat jacks, and other sharp objects off the surface.
  • Place plywood under the front tires of cars and trucks, and for campers, boats, and trailers, under the hitch. This helps dispense the weight of the tires. Even better, try not to park heavy vehicles on the driveway for long periods of time during this first season.
  • Do not allow heavy trucks, such as garbage trucks, on the driveway.
  • If your driveway is installed in the fall, curing will stop when the weather turns cold, then will resume in the spring.

You can help to ensure its long life and durability:

• Prevent Oil & Gasoline Spills – Asphalt is an oil-based material. Gasoline and oil spills can dissolve the surface of your driveway, causing deterioration. Avoid spilling or leaking these materials, and clean up any spills using absorbent materials to minimize damage.
• Fill Cracks – Cracks in driveways often occur due to base movement during freeze-thaw cycles or water seeping underneath from poor landscape design, heavy rainfall, or overwatering. In Minnesota, some cracking is unavoidable. Regularly filling cracks and seal-coating will help maintain your driveway’s condition. You can do this yourself using specialized products, or we can assist you with the process.
• Protect Driveway Edges – The edges of your driveway are the weakest part because they lack side support. To prevent cracking, avoid driving on the edges. Instead, we suggest building up the soil along the sides of your driveway with about 1 inch of topsoil to promote sod growth. This improves drainage, supports the edges, and enhances appearance once the grass is established.
• Stop Weeds & Grass Growing Through Cracks – Vegetation, such as weeds and grass, can push through asphalt. In most cases, you can use a spot killer to remedy the situation. For larger plants or tree roots at the driveway’s edge, you will probably want to remove the plant for a long-term solution. But if you want to keep the tree, the only remedy is to fill the cracks every year.

Since 1954, we’ve been building great driveways throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area. We’ve learned that proper driveway maintenance is key to a long driveway’s lifespan. After we build a great driveway for your home, we want it to look its best for years and decades to come. Anytime you have a question about your driveway, contact us for advice. If you need driveway maintenance services, we’re always happy to refer you to a trusted company. If you need repairs, call us first.