Spring is the time of year when most of us are busy doing spring cleaning chores. It’s also an excellent time to clean any asphalt pavement that you may have around your home or business. Keeping your asphalt pavement clean will help to extend the life of the surface, not to mention improve its appearance. The best way to remove stains from pavement is to have it done professionally by a local paving contractor. But if your surface has only minor stains, you might be able to handle the job yourself. Here are a few tips for how to clean asphalt safely and effectively.
- No matter what kind of a stain it is, the first step is to remove all debris and dirt from the surface. Try sweeping first, and if that doesn’t do the trick, use a garden hose to remove dirt. If you notice any puddles left behind after spraying off the surface, be sure to sweep off standing water with an outside broom. Letting water stand on asphalt can damage the surface.
- For simple stains, use any type of household cleaner – such as dishwashing liquid or diluted vinegar, for example – and a bristled scrub brush. Simply scrub the stain with the cleaner, then rinse off with water, and repeat if necessary. This method usually works well for common stains, but if you have marks left behind by oil or other vehicle fluids, you’ll need to follow additional steps.
- Removing vehicle fluid stains from any type of asphalt surface is challenging, so we highly recommend that you contact a paving contractor to get the job done. This is particularly true if the stain is large, or if you have a bigger area to clean – such as a parking lot, for example. But if you’re simply trying to remove a few small stains from your driveway, you may be able to do it yourself.
Begin by spreading a substance that will absorb the spill (if it’s a fresh stain). Sawdust, baking soda, or cat litter are good choices. It may take a while to absorb, so it’s best to leave it on overnight. After much of the spill has been absorbed, sweep away the absorption material and rinse off the surface. If the stain is still there, you might try any one of a variety of commercial degreasers you can purchase from a home improvement store.
Keeping your asphalt clean really does extend its life. Another way to restore the appearance of the surface, as well as protect it from weather and vehicle fluids, is by seal coating. Contact a paving contractor for more information.