The driveway is a major factor in the overall appearance of one's home. A stain-ridden, chipped, cracked surface is not only unsafe, but will diminish a home's value, as well. Since it doesn't take a lot of energy or money to keep your asphalt driveway in top shape and looking good, doing so is a wise investment. And, periodic maintenance will keep minor problems from becoming major. It can also prevent the costly process of driveway replacement.

While most residential driveways are concrete, many are constructed of asphalt. Asphalt or "blacktop" is actually a type of concrete in which aggregate (gravel) is held together by an extract of crude petroleum instead of portland cement. Even though asphalt is more flexible than concrete, it is vulnerable to the effects of water seepage and frost that require periodic maintenance. It is that maintenance that prevents the eventual pothole.

One of the best ways to keep an asphalt driveway in tiptop condition is to periodically (every three to four years) seal it with an emulsified asphalt or coal-tar sealer. Aside from significantly improving its appearance, the sealer will act to prevent cracks and staining. Although this task can be performed by a professional, do-it-yourself sealers are available at most building, lumber and home-improvement centers. They often come in the form of a ready-to-pour 5-gallon buckets, enough to cover about 400 square feet of area.

Prior to applying the sealer it is imperative to start with a clean, dry surface. Dirt and debris should be removed using a stiff bristle pushbroom. Grease stains can be removed using one cup of laundry detergent in a gallon of hot water. More stubborn stains can be removed with a commercial asphalt cleaner. If you are going to do the project yourself, consider investing in a combination broom and squeegee. The squeegee is used to spread the sealer evenly. Some manufacturers recommend applying a second coat of sealer within 48 hours. It's best to follow manufacturers' directions as more than one coat can cause the surface to become too slick.

Although, asphalt sealer will fill the hairline cracks, larger ones (up to 1/2 inch wide) should be filled with an asphalt-based caulking. The crack should first be cleaned using a wire brush and rinsed with a garden hose. If the crack is deeper than 1/4 inch, it should be partially filled with sand. The sand should be packed with water and allowed to dry before applying the caulking.

Cracks larger than 1/2-inch wide should be filled using a mixture of sand and asphalt sealer. Mix the two into a putty-like consistency in a small disposable container such as a pie tin. Pack the filler into the crack and smooth the surface using a metal trowel. Be prepared to top off the crack if the initial application should settle.

The most challenging, yet rewarding repair is the pothole. It is a depression in the asphalt that results from water which has traveled through cracks in the surface and softened the soil below the asphalt base, making the area unstable. For long-lasting results, areas with extensive damage should be repaired by a professional with a hot-mix asphalt patch. Do-it-yourself repairs can be made with ready-to-use cold mixes sold in bags, such as concrete. Remove the damaged paving, digging down between 2 to 6 inches, depending on the extent of the damage.

Deep repairs should be filled with gravel to within 4 inches of the surface. Tamp the gravel using a 4 by 4 piece of lumber. The repair area should be lightly coated with asphalt sealer. Use a shovel and metal trowel to apply cold-mix asphalt patching compound in 1-inch layers. Each layer should be firmly tamped using the 4 by 4. Air bubbles can be removed using the tip of the trowel.

The final layer of patching compound should be built up to 1/2 inch above the surrounding finished surface. Again tamp the patch using the 4 by 4, and lightly cover the area with sand. Complete the process by slowly driving the tire of a car back and forth over the patch until it is level with the driveway surface. The weight of the car will compact the patch into the hole as would a steam roller. After the patch hardens, brush on driveway sealer. Allow the area to set for about 36 hours before walking or driving on it.

Asphalt maintenance and repair jobs are best done when the temperature is in excess of 60ºF Asphalt materials are more pliable, set more rapidly and form a better bond in warm weather.