Extending the life of your blacktop driveway can be accomplished by setting and maintaining regular upkeep and maintenance steps. Asphalt is made up of small stone and gravel and held together by an extract of petroleum. Since asphalt in Bloomington MN is a flexible material, unlike concrete, which makes it susceptible to the elements such as water and freezing.

One of the best ways to protect your asphalt driveway is to seal it. You can buy a coal-tar sealer or an emulsified asphalt sealer from your local hardware store or building supply store. For the best in protection results, plan to seal your asphalt Bloomington MN annually. In some regions of the country which don’t have the extreme in climate conditions like Minnesota, homeowners can get away with resealing every two to three years. Not only will sealing your blacktop fill hairline cracks and protect it from oil stains, it will dramatically improve your home’s curb appeal.

If you plan to seal your asphalt driveway yourself, make sure you plan ahead. You want the temperature to warm, around 60 degree Fahrenheit is ideal. Don’t seal after a storm. It is better to wait a few days for things to dry, and you will want to make sure you have a few subsequent dry days after you lay down the sealer.

As a rule of thumb, a ready-made 5-gallon bucket of sealer is enough to cover about 300- to 400- square feet of asphalt Bloomington MN. Some sealer manufacturers will recommend applying a second coat within twenty-four hours of the first, and you will want to read the recommendations from the particular manufacturer you are using. If they don’t recommend it, it is advisable not to do so or you run the risk of your blacktop becoming too slick.

Before you apply the sealant, walk the area in which you plan to work and look for any cracks or breaks. If they are more than an eighth of inch wide, you should fill them first before you lay down the sealant. You can buy crack filler from your local hardware store. Using a brush, clean out the crack and remove any loose debris. If the crack is deeper than one-quarter inch, use some sand or small gravel to fill it and tamp it. Then, with a caulking gun, apply the crack filler. A trowel or putty knife works great to smooth and level out your handiwork.

If the damage to your asphalt in Bloomington MN is extensive, call a professional contractor to handle the job. You can find great asphalt repair contractors who install asphalt in Bloomington MN by searching the web or by checking with your local hardware store and asking for a referral.