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Tarmac, or to give it its full name, tarmacadam, is a famous road surfacing material made by combining macadam surfaces, sand, and tar. It was invented by the Scottish engineer John Loudon McAdam in the early 1800s and later patented by the famous Welsh inventor Edgar Purnell Hooley back in 1902.
Over time, the material became a widely popular choice for driveways and other outdoor surfacings thanks to its strength, ease of installation, and economic value. However, while tarmac is solid and hard-wearing material, tarmac driveways may begin looking worse for wear as time goes by. For that reason, there are particular things that you should be aware of to help keep your tarmac driveway in top condition as time passes by.
The good news is that this short article will guide you through the steps you should take to maximize the expected lifespan of your tarmac driveway and increase its life. Or, if you’re currently reviewing whether you should install tarmac driveway in front of your house and want to know more about how you can protect it over time, this article is for you. Without further ado, here’s how to keep your tarmac driveway to look brand new even when a couple of years have passed from its initial installation.
Regularly Clean The Tarmac Surface From Any Debris
Look, not only can debris pose risks and dangers to people who are using the driveway, but it can also hurt the road itself. When debris, such as twigs or leaves, are left on the surface for a more extended period, moisture can get trapped inside the tarmac, which might result in cracks and other unwanted damages to the surface. To avoid this, make sure to regularly clean the tarmac from any debris, especially during autumn when leaves from nearby trees can fall off on your driveway and cause damage if left untreated.
Photo from FOX 5 San Diego
Make Sure You Unclog The Gutters And Drains
After some time, the drains and gutters will probably get clogged up because of debris accumulation. As you probably already know, the result of this is that when heavy rainfall occurs, the water won’t be drained out as fast as it should. In addition, moisture is particularly destructive to the tarmac, so letting it sit on the surface for a long time will significantly reduce the driveway’s lifespan.
Once the heavy rainfall stops, make sure to take the time and walk outside to check the drains and gutters of your driveway. If you notice that they’re slowly starting to get clogged up due to the debris from the storm, you should clear them out as soon as possible. That being said, if you’re not at your house while there’s heavy rainfall, once you arrive at the scene, have a quick peek at the draining fixtures on your driveway to check if there’s any need for you to clean them or not.
Clean The Fluids From The Vehicles
Many times, when a vehicle drives away after staying in a spot or being parked for a while, you can notice that some fluids get left behind on the surface underneath the car. And even though this is 100% normal, it’s never a good thing for the tarmac.
Photo from CarNewsCafe
So, if there’s any fluid you can notice on your tarmac driveway, be it gas, oil, or some other substance, you need to clean it immediately to protect your surface. Because, not only will it leave a permanent stain on the road, but it will damage the tarmac too.
Fill The Cracks And Potholes
Over time, you’ll eventually discover some cracks or potholes on your tarmac surface. These cracks should be addressed immediately because if you ignore them while they’re still small and manageable, they can lead to more significant cracks or potholes that a simple refill might end up not being enough.
For that reason, keep checking your tarmac for cracks or potholes and have them filled as soon as possible. This way, not only will you keep the repair expenditures down, but you’ll ensure that the cracks won’t hurt the entire surface’s lifespan at all.
Final Thoughts
By following the pointers we have shared above, you’ll get to enjoy your tarmac driveway that will last for as long as its intended lifespan. Even more, if you want to keep your driveway protected and looking good longer, you might want to apply a sealant to the surfacing to give it a nice, cautious finish. Best applied after a year, the adhesive will act as a defensive barrier for your driveway, protecting it even further from spills and all the debris while also rejuvenating its appearance.