Driveway cleaning made up of asphalt can be a little tricky. Asphalt driveways look very nice when new but to keep them in a good condition and make then look great for long periods of time requires a lot of care and attention with frequent cleaning and maintenance.

Listed below are various steps that have to be followed to clean and reseal your asphalt driveway.

1. Remember to start the entire driveway cleaning and resealing process when the weather is dry. Wet weather might spoil all your efforts and may cause further damage to your driveway. So start the maintenance work when the weather is dry or sunny.

2. Sweep off the driveway to remove fallen leaves, dirt and dust; remove weeds and plants that are growing in the crevices; wash off the oil spills and other type of stains with appropriate cleaners.

3. Next, wash the driveway with sufficient quantities of water. It is advisable to use a pressure washer for driveway cleaning. Make sure to use a low pressure washer and adjust the nozzle pressure accordingly. Never use acid in a pressure washer as this will spoil the pressure washer and the asphalt driveway. Using a pressure washer will save you time, money and water.

4. Allow the entire driveway to dry completely after washing it off with water and suitable detergent.

5. Now, check for the cracks in the driveway. Depending on the depth of the cracks or crevices that have developed over time, use an appropriate re-sealer. For cracks that are not very deep, you can use a rubberized asphalt emulsion crack filler or sealer in the crack. Make sure that the sealer does not come on the surface. Flatten it out smoothly with a putty knife and allow it to dry.

6. For larger cracks, fill up the cracks with a cold patch blacktop and allow it to cure according to the instructions in the manufacturer packet. Next cover it up with a plywood plank and drive over it so as to flatten it thoroughly.

7. The next step in driveway cleaning is to seal the asphalt driveway with an appropriate sealer. For getting best results it is advisable to apply two thin coats of a sealer instead of applying one thick coat. Start from one end of the driveway and work your way to the other end. Start applying the first coat of sealer in one direction and then apply the second coat in the opposite direction. To apply the sealer on the edge of the driveway it is better to use a paint brush.

8. Next, spread the sealer smoothly with the help of a brush or a squeegee in a systematic fashion. Start from one side and then move on to the next. After the first coat of sealer has dried up apply the second coat in a similar fashion and allow the driveway dry.

There you have it-a resealed and cleaned driveway! Driveway cleaning can be very easy and a lot of fun if done appropriately and in the right manner. Periodic and frequent cleaning up of your asphalt driveway will prolong its life.