It is common for weeds to grow in cracks of asphalt roads, parking lots, and driveways. There are many ways that you can remove these weeds, and after you remove them, it is important to fill the cracks to prevent weed growth in the future. However, filling cracks in the asphalt should be a short-term solution.
If you notice many cracks in your parking lot or driveway, you should consider a full repair. Companies that offer asphalt repair in Palm Harbor FL typically also offer services such as sealcoating to protect against future cracks in the asphalt to maintain a professional and well-kept look for your driveway or parking lot.
Let’s look at how to do these things…
Ways to remove weeds from asphalt
There are multiple ways that you can remove weeds from the cracks in your driveway or parking lot. Some of these include:
- Picking them out with your hand
- Spraying a store-bought weed killer
- Using a natural weed killer, such as salt
You can also torch weeds to kill them off as well, though this is not a recommend method in most cases.
Fill the cracks in the asphalt
After you remove the weeds, it is important to fill the cracks in the asphalt to prevent more weeds from growing there in the future. This is done with crack filler. Crack filler is a rubberized asphalt that dries and rubberizes quickly once it is laid. It is applied using a hot filler, which is a machine that keeps the asphalt crack filler hot so that it is easy to apply. To use this machine, you simply release the lever and the crack filler drips out of the hot filler and into the break in the asphalt.
Before you fill any cracks in your parking lot or driveway, be sure to clean out the cracks and remove any dirt, debris or weeds. This ensures a smoother and longer-lasting repair.
Utilize a professional
Though you can purchase crack filler and fill these cracks yourself, it is better to have it done professionally. This way, the repair will last longer and it will look nicer. In addition to crack filling, many companies provide services such as sealcoating and striping in Palm Harbor FL that will help prevent future asphalt cracking, as well as help in maintaining a nice, professional look to your parking lot or driveway.
Crack filling should be a temporary solution
When you fill a crack in grey, oxidized asphalt, the filler will stand out. The new asphalt will be very dark compared to the asphalt that was there previously. Therefore, if you have multiple cracks in your driveway or parking lot, it would be more beneficial to repair the entire lot rather than just filling the cracks. At Bay Area Asphalt Maintenance, we offer asphalt repair in Palm Harbor FL and would love to provide repair services for you.
How to prevent asphalt cracking
Cracks in asphalt are preventable for a longer period of time with the use of sealcoating. Sealcoating protects your driveway or parking lot from cracking, oxidation, and weather damage. This helps you maintain a professional look to your business while also reducing long-term repair costs. If you are in need of sealcoating and striping in Palm Harbor FL, we would love to help!