8 Tips for Maintaining Your Asphalt Driveway During Summer Months

1. Keep the Surface Clean and Dry

A driveway operates as a high-functioning surface, supporting weight, managing weather, and reinforcing curb appeal in one continuous motion. When kept clear, it performs at its peak. Grass, mulch, and other organic material carry moisture that, under summer warmth, becomes part of the surface environment. That’s an advantage when paired with routine care. A stiff-bristle broom sets the tone for regular upkeep, while a thoughtfully applied pressure wash deepens the clean. The result: a surface that stays ready, resilient, and precisely in step with its design.

2. Catch Surface Cracks Early

Cracks are often subtle in their development. However, they gradually expand when soil movement, water, and sunlight are at their most intense. Summer’s expansion and contraction cycles make early detection valuable. A close visual scan every few weeks is enough to detect these cracks. When a hairline crack is visible, apply a flexible filler designed to shift with the surface. This single step prevents most minor issues from becoming more costly.

3. Schedule Sealcoating with Precision

Sealcoating creates a barrier between the asphalt and elements such as UV rays, rain, oil, and even oxygen. That barrier maintains a tighter, stronger, and far less porous surface.

The timing with sealcoating is crucial. It requires warm, dry weather to cure properly. Mid-morning or early evening offers the best window. Avoid extreme midday heat, which can cause uneven finishes. With a steady rhythm of reapplication every two to three years, the surface remains protected.

4. Improve Drainage Before the Rain Arrives

Standing water also creates slow erosion. Even small puddles can work their way down into the base layer, especially in older or unsealed driveways. During summer storms, low points in the grade reveal themselves quickly. It is important to identify where water lingers. If puddles begin to form, leveling the surface with cold patch material will reduce water pooling. For longer-term control, trench drains or edge grading push runoff away from the asphalt and toward designated outlets.

5. Manage Weight and Movement

Every driveway has a load limit. Although asphalt is designed to support weight, not all weight behaves the same way. When heat softens the surface, the pressure from parked RVs, trailers, or repeated tire paths can leave deep and permanent impressions.

To spread pressure evenly, rotate the parking positions when possible. For heavier vehicles, place plywood panels beneath tires to reduce concentrated load. This is especially important if the surface was installed recently or has not yet been sealed.

6. Reinforce the Edges

While the center of the driveway carries the load, the edges hold the entire structure. Without backing support, edges may begin to crumble under tire pressure or summer traffic. The installation of gravel shoulders, compacted soil, or a concrete border provides structural support along the edges. By adding lateral strength, this minor investment prevents the edge from slipping or fraying where asphalt meets soil or grass.

7. Control Weed Growth at the Source

What starts as a single sprout can very quickly become a structural problem. Weeds find their way into even the smallest cracks, expanding them from the inside out. In warm, wet conditions, that process accelerates. It is simpler to detect early-stage development when the surface and edges are regularly inspected. A high-quality crack filler plugs the opening to stop reentry after a targeted herbicide removes the intrusion. This maintains the surface’s tightness, smoothness, and seasonal resilience.

8. Set the Driveway on a Maintenance Cycle

Summer care is about building a rhythm. A monthly walk-through, a mid-season cleaning, and a timed sealcoating schedule are essential for proper maintenance. When these steps are practiced consistently, asphalt remains strong year after year.

With a focused maintenance plan, asphalt surfaces stand up to summer with confidence. Clean, sealed, and structurally sound, each step adds time back into the lifespan of the surface. Though summer progresses rapidly, advance preparation remains the most effective way to stay ahead of seasonal demands.