Flipping a house often involves significant demolition and removal of materials from a home. During this process, materials will probably pass over an asphalt driveway on their way to the garbage. All of this movement of materials and demolition cane cause damage to an asphalt driveway that you should be concerned about.
Shoveling
Shovelling can wreak havoc on your asphalt driveway. If you are shoveling on or around an asphalt driveway during a house flip, metal shovels in particular can damage asphalt.
It is important that you take care with where you are shovelling, and use a plastic shovel if possible. Instead of using an asphalt driveway as a staging area to shovel materials, see if you can lay a tarp in the lawn and shovel dirt or other materials from there instead. If you do need to shovel on your asphalt driveway, double check your driveway for scratches or cracks once you are done.
Water
Another thing you need to be careful of getting on your asphalt driveway during home renovation is water. Water left standing on an asphalt driveway can seep into the foundation of your driveway, causing it to become unstable. This instability can lead to cracking and potholes that are going to cost you in repairs. Sealcoating can repair and prevent cracking, improving the appearance of an asphalt driveway and extending its life. If you have existing cracks, patch them as soon as possible. During home renovation, try and keep anything that may cause water intrusion away from your driveway.
Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment used during a house flip can also cause damage to your asphalt driveway. These driveways can only handle a certain amount of weight, and heavy equipment like backhoes or excavators can be too much for them. Moving this equipment across your driveway can cause the foundation to buckle and break apart. If at all possible, keep heavy equipment in the street or yard.
There is a lot to think about when completing a house flip, but you need to make sure your asphalt driveway stays on your list of concerns. Make sure you are doing all that you can to protect it from harm and damage that your renovation may cause. Once your house flip is done, you’ll be glad to have a driveway still in great condition.
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