Treating Oil Spots on Asphalt Pavement

Options to Treating Oil Spots on Your Asphalt Driveway or Parking Lot

Treating oil spots are one of the most common and troubling parts of maintaining any driveway or parking lot. Oil spots are an eye-sore, they can stain the surface and be the start to potholes in the pavement. Applying a seal coating to the surface is one way to prevent oil damage, but if oil spills, what should you do?

Fresh Oil Spill Cleaning

After investing in a new asphalt for a driveway or parking lot, nothing can irk one more than fresh oil stains prior to any seal coating. What does one do in the event of an oil spot on fresh unsealed asphalt?

When an oil spot is fresh, it’s easier to remove since it’s merely a surface stain on the asphalt. One way of treating oil spots is to scrub with a detergent and rinse with water (pressure wash if available). Once the oil spot is clean, we recommend sealing the asphalt with a seal coat.

Old Oil Spill Cleaning

If oil sets on the asphalt long enough it will seep into the pavement the material will begin to breakdown the binder resulting in chunks of aggregate to break loose. Once the oil begins to breakdown the asphalt, detergent and water will no longer be effective. Untreated spills will cause cracking and minor depressions. One possible solution to clean this type of spill is through infrared heat (IRR) as long as serious pitting has not occurred.

Infrared Road Repair (IRR) i.e. infrared heat, is the process of utilizing infrared technology to absorb heat into the damaged area, removing that section and patch it with new asphalt.

Once the old oil spot is removed and patched, we strongly encourage seal coating.

When to Replace Asphalt

When there are multiple oil spots that have gone uncleaned or replaced, eventually there will be enough damage and potholes that it is no longer cost-effective to simply repair. At this point, cutting the old asphalt out and repaving with new asphalt is the best solution. In some cases replacing large sections of a driveway or parking lot will suffice, but other times it may be best to replace the whole surface. When it comes to removing and replacing old asphalt or patching potholes, B&T can help!

Best Remedy To Prevent Oil Spot Damage

Sealcoating is one of the best solutions to preventing oil damage to your driveway or parking lot. If you are looking for a local Indianapolis, IN company for your asphalt repair or seal coating needs, contact B&T Seal Coating and Asphalt in Franklin! Our team has the tools and experience to get the job done right.

If you have any questions about driveway or parking lot repairs or would like a free quote, call or email B&T today! Dial (317) 736-8656