Asphalt is a very popular choice when it comes to driveways. Why wouldn’t it be? It’s known for its affordability and ease of maintenance. However, there is one problem that can be an issue for most home and business owners who have an asphalt driveway: Asphalt oil stain damage.
What is Asphalt Oil Stain Damage?
One of the worst and most unassuming problems that your asphalt driveway can have is asphalt oil stain damage. Oil slowly corrodes your driveway because of how the oil reacts with the chemicals in the asphalt. Once asphalt has corroded enough, it will cause it to break up and make it more vulnerable to developing potholes and cracks.
What Can You Do About It?
There are a few things you can do to deal with asphalt oil stain damage. They fall into two categories. These two categories are prevention and repair. Prevention will focus on making sure that the damage doesn’t happen in the first place, while repair will focus on repairing the damage done by a present stain.
Prevention
The best way to make sure that your asphalt stays strong is preventing the damage from happening in the first place. There are a few things you can do to get this done.
Monitor and Inspect
The best way you can prevent asphalt oil stain damage is constantly monitoring the driveway. Monitoring your driveway means that you’re constantly aware of any possible problems. You will be able to quickly respond and fix the issue before it goes past the point of no return.
Keep Vehicles In Good Condition
If you’re the owner of a vehicle then you have to ensure that your vehicle is in good condition. Not only will you have a better experience in it, but your driveway will also benefit from it.
Repair
If a stain has progressed enough, there will be visible damage on your driveway. This damage can grow larger the longer it isn’t fixed. So the best course of action is to repair it as soon as possible to prevent it from growing. Luckily there are a few ways you can repair asphalt oil stain damage.
Absorb The Oil
If the oil was recently spilled on your asphalt surface, then there are a few simple ways you can get rid of it. Some of the most simple DIY ways include using kitty litter, baking soda, and even fizzy drinking soda like Pepsi to absorb it.
Replace The Area Affected
After a certain amount of time, the oil will cause deep damage to your asphalt driveway. If you’re only getting to it at that point, then your best option is to replace that section of your driveway. We recommend hiring a professional to take a look at your driveway to make sure you know what you need to do to fix that section.
Conclusion
Asphalt oil stain damage is a problem that many home and business owners will have to deal with eventually. The difference between having to pay a large sum to fix the problem and using a can cola to remove the stain is a quick response. However, if your asphalt is already old, then the oil might seep into the cracks. At this point your best solution is to look for a professional like Eagle Rock Excavating to help you with your driveway woes.
