Whether due to specific mess or just general cleanliness desires, cleaning is one of just a few basic maintenance areas that come with a paved asphalt surface on your property, such as a parking lot. Keeping such surfaces clean will not only add to your property’s aesthetics, but will also limit liability risks and prevent certain areas of damage from taking place on the surface as well.
At Asphalt Masters, we’re happy to provide a wide range of asphalt services to Ogden clients, including asphalt repair, asphalt sealcoating and more. Many of these processes involve a need for cleaning your surface, and we can provide tips both here and for general asphalt cleaning as well. Let’s look at some basic recommendations for general cleaning on a periodic basis for any asphalt surface, plus dig into some specifics like how to avoid or clean up things like stains or spills that might take place on these surfaces.
General Asphalt Surface Cleaning
Whether performed weekly, bi-weekly or in some other time template, it pays to carry out periodic cleaning of asphalt parking lots or other surfaces on your property. Doing so with the right cleaning products and techniques will not only help to keep your surfaces looking in tip-top shape, but also limit long-term damage from taking place.
Which products and materials you’ll need will depend largely on whether or not you’re using a power washer as part of this process. For those who do have a power washer on hand and a surface that can tolerate such cleaning, you’ll want to look for a product specially formulated for asphalt surfaces, such as our proprietary Asphalt Cleaner.
For those who don’t have access to a power washer or prefer not to use one on their asphalt surface, we recommend using a mild soap solution with some sort of brush attachment and a hose. This will allow you to scrub the surface and remove dirt and debris, while not risking damage to the asphalt itself.
A common question we get from clients here: What about bleach? The short answer is that while bleach may be suitable for some asphalt surfaces, it can quickly become unstable and dangerous, especially when mixed with other chemicals. For that reason, it’s best to avoid bleach altogether on your asphalt surface.
Mulch Stains
In many settings where landscaping elements are near your asphalt surfaces, mulch stains may be present. These can be difficult to remove if they’re allowed to settle in and should be cleaned as soon as possible after they occur.
For mulch or other organic stains, we recommend using a mild soap solution with some sort of brush attachment and a hose. This will allow you to scrub the surface and remove dirt and debris, while not risking damage to the asphalt itself.
An important tip here: While you may be tempted to use your power washer for this purpose, similarly to general cleaning, we do not recommend it. The power from this device may actually imprint the stain even further into the existing asphalt surface.
For this reason, if you’re having trouble with such a stain using a mild soap solution, the next alternative should be some vinegar that you use on the surface. This may help loosen the stain and make it easier to scrub away.
Oil, Grease and Other Spills
Finally, let’s take a look at spills that may occur on asphalt surfaces over time. This can be anything from oil or grease spilled by vehicles in the parking lot, to food items out of trash receptacles or even paint from contractors working nearby.
The first and most important step here, whenever possible: Do your best to remove as much of these liquids as possible immediately after the spill. This will help limit the damage that may be done to your asphalt surface in the long run, and can even make it easier for you to clean with a mild soap solution later on.
If some of these liquids still remain on the surface after being physically removed, you’ll want to look into using an absorbent material such as kitty litter, baking soda or even sawdust. This will help to quickly absorb the remaining liquid and make it easier to clean with a mild soap solution. And from here, regular sprays with a hose or a light power washer setting may be all that is needed to fully clean the area.
Finally, after cleaning of any kind, be sure to use a sealant periodically to further protect and maintain your asphalt surface. This should help you keep it looking its best for years to come!
For more on how to clean and protect your paved asphalt surfaces, or to learn about our asphalt services for Ogden and nearby clients, speak to our team at Asphalt Masters today.
