How to Remove Stains from Asphalt
Asphalt is a popular paving material that is used for roads, bridges, driveways, and parking lots. It is appreciated for being budget-friendly, pleasing to the eye, and easy to maintain.
Asphalt isn’t fool-proof though. Even though it shows imperfections far less than other pavement materials, like light-colored concrete, it can get stained.
A nice and clean parking lot speaks volumes about your business. It is the first thing your clients or customers see. It’s important to let them know you take pride in your business and that your attention to detail is impeccable. Keeping your parking lot spotless shows respect to your clients or customers too. When a customer or client notices how you take such good care of your parking lot, they are sure to feel confident that you will take care of their needs as well. A clean parking lot does not go unappreciated.
The same thing is true about your asphalt driveway. It’s the first impression that will reflect the state of your entire property, including inside your home. Many are doing business from home these days, so it is more important than ever to have a squeaky clean driveway and if you happen to have an asphalt driveway, you’re in luck.
Discovering a stain on your asphalt isn’t the end of the world. While you can call an asphalt maintenance company to clean your pavement, you can also do the job yourself.
Asphalt isn’t fool-proof though. Even though it shows imperfections far less than other pavement materials, like light-colored concrete, it can get stained.
A nice and clean parking lot speaks volumes about your business. It is the first thing your clients or customers see. It’s important to let them know you take pride in your business and that your attention to detail is impeccable. Keeping your parking lot spotless shows respect to your clients or customers too. When a customer or client notices how you take such good care of your parking lot, they are sure to feel confident that you will take care of their needs as well. A clean parking lot does not go unappreciated.
The same thing is true about your asphalt driveway. It’s the first impression that will reflect the state of your entire property, including inside your home. Many are doing business from home these days, so it is more important than ever to have a squeaky clean driveway and if you happen to have an asphalt driveway, you’re in luck.
Discovering a stain on your asphalt isn’t the end of the world. While you can call an asphalt maintenance company to clean your pavement, you can also do the job yourself.
Types of Asphalt Stains
Asphalt driveway paving is very attractive but only if it’s clean and kept up. Asphalt stains come in all shapes and sizes and can occur at any time, no matter the type of asphalt paving that was done. From oil that leaks from your car onto the driveway to leaves that fall in the autumn months and decay, leaving unsightly stains behind, if your once pristine asphalt driveway looks more like a war zone now, it’s time to get to the bottom of it.
The first step in cleaning an asphalt stain is to determine what the base of it is. Oil-based stains are the most common and the most difficult to remove. They require an agent to cut through the grease or extreme pressure to dislodge the oil.
Crushed leaves that fall onto the pavement decay and leave ugly stains behind. The stains are dark spots that some people call “dark shadows”. If left untreated when fall turns into winter, you’re in real trouble.
What about those “washable” chalks and paints the kids use to decorate your driveway, walkways, and sidewalks? Those stains can be really tricky to get off. Although the products claim to be temporary, often times they are not. Those that are oil-based may seem to be more permanent than the pavement they are drawn on.
Never fear. For every stain, there is a solution. Coupled with some good ole elbow grease, it’s time to roll your sleeves up and get started on the clean-up.
The first step in cleaning an asphalt stain is to determine what the base of it is. Oil-based stains are the most common and the most difficult to remove. They require an agent to cut through the grease or extreme pressure to dislodge the oil.
Crushed leaves that fall onto the pavement decay and leave ugly stains behind. The stains are dark spots that some people call “dark shadows”. If left untreated when fall turns into winter, you’re in real trouble.
What about those “washable” chalks and paints the kids use to decorate your driveway, walkways, and sidewalks? Those stains can be really tricky to get off. Although the products claim to be temporary, often times they are not. Those that are oil-based may seem to be more permanent than the pavement they are drawn on.
Never fear. For every stain, there is a solution. Coupled with some good ole elbow grease, it’s time to roll your sleeves up and get started on the clean-up.
asphalt pavement cleaning Process
Straight from the experts, here is the asphalt pavement cleaning process:
- Before you start working on a driveway or parking lot stain, remove everything from the area like cars, bicycles, and skateboards.
- Be sure that your children and pets are not in the area you are going to clean. Never leave them unattended throughout the process, even if it involves an overnight soaking.
- Clean the entire driveway by sweeping it and giving it a good spraying with the water hose. Allow it to dry before proceeding.
- Read the labels of any products you use to ensure you know what to do if the chemical is accidentally ingested or if it makes contact with your skin.
- If the spot is not real bad, it is best to opt for organic solutions, like baking soda to reduce the risk of chemical contact.
- Dress for success. You are going to get dirty and maybe even greasy. You don’t want to remove the stain on your driveway only to discover you are wearing it.
- Get great tools. A hard-bristled brush is excellent to have and you’ll also want some cleaning cloths or a roll or two of paper towels. A stiff-bristled push broom is a helpful tool to use too.
- Be prepared to dispose of the grease. Some of the cleaning solutions require bio-hazard disposal.
- It’s a good idea to clean your asphalt driveway at least twice per year - in spring when the snow and ice have melted, before the sun bakes stains in, and in fall before it is too cold, snowy and icy to work outside.
- Be careful not to wash cleaning solutions onto your grass and flowers.
How to remove Oil Stains from asphalt
Oil stains are especially tacky on asphalt because since asphalt is dark, it doesn’t show many other types of stains. An oil stain can certainly stick out like a sore thumb on your asphalt pavement because it makes it darker in the dirty spot. Here are some tried and true methods to get rid of greasy oil stains on asphalt:
- Soap and Water - A mixture of liquid soap and water will cut through the oil and will keep it from drying and setting in to stain the asphalt. Go heavy on the liquid soap. Dish liquid soap is even better, especially the grease-cutting type. Emulsify the area and you’ll notice tiny droplets of oil gathering. That’s a good thing. Soap and water won’t remove the oil stain totally, but it will keep it from setting in and will make it much easier to clean. Follow up with another stain-fighting method as soon as possible to finish the job.
- Kitty Litter - The first step is to soak up any excess liquids, like soap and water that are puddling on top of the stain. This method works best on fresh oil stains that have not dried in. Once the area has dried (at least to some extent), scoop kitty litter on top of the stain. Make sure the stain is well-covered. Stomp around on the pile of kitty litter to grind it in and let it sit overnight to ensure the oil soaks in. If you can let it sit twenty-four hours, that’s ideal. Then scoop up the kitty litter being careful not to get it on the rest of the driveway because it will be soaked with oil. The kitty litter is now a biohazard waste product. Dispose of the litter in a trash bag as you would any other biohazard waste, like oil that is left over from changing the oil in your car.
- Laundry Detergent - Just as laundry soap with grease lifters get rid of oily spots on your clothing, it can work on your asphalt driveway to vanish greasy spots. You can use liquid soap or the powdered kind. You definitely want to choose the type that mentions grease lifting on the label though. Soak up excess water and/or oil and then pour a generous amount of detergent over the stain. Let it sit for about twenty-four hours if possible. Then, blot off any excess liquid and scrub then add pour a little water on the spot and scrub it with a stiff-bristle cleaning brush. Use circular motions until the spot looks to be gone. Dab off excess soap and water than pour clean water on top to rinse it. Finally, dry the surface and it should look as good as new.
- Baking Soda - Baking soda works magic when it comes to getting greasy spots off of asphalt. It works best for fresh oil stains but it can be tried on stains that are set. It may take multiple rounds of repeating the process, however. To begin, simply sprinkle the entire area with a generous amount of baking soda. Let it sit for an hour or two to absorb as much of the oil as possible. Scrub with a stiff-bristled cleaning brush using circular motions.
- Coca Cola - You’ve probably seen the experiment when Coca Cola is poured onto corroded battery cables to cut through the corrosion. This cleaning method works in the same way, cutting through the grease in order to remove the stain. While it’s a little scary to think what the soda does when you drink it, one thing is for sure - it’s a powerful cleaning formulation. This is another method that works best on a stain that is fresh and has not completely set in yet. It is imperative to use Coca Cola, not a substitute brand of soda. First, soak up any excess oil. Pour several cans of Coke on top of the stain. Let it soak overnight. If you can allow it to sit twenty-four hours, you’ll have better results. When it has set long enough, add a little water and scrub with a stiff-bristled cleaning brush. Clean the area with water and dry with a clean cloth.
- Pressure Washer - Pressure washers are wonderful machines, the more powerful, the better. If all else fails, pull out the pressure washer beast and tackle the stain like a pro. Pressure washers can be dangerous so be sure you know how the operate it and use caution when doing so. Don’t forget to turn the heat up if your pressure washer has such a setting, The heat will liquefy the grease and the pressure will disburse the stain into the wild blue yonder.
- Tri-sodium Phosphate (TSP) - This method is highly effective BUT, it is extremely dangerous. Be sure to exercise great caution when using this option. Tri-sodium phosphate is an inorganic granular (or crystalline solid) compound that is a powerful cleaning agent and degreaser. It is excellent for cleaning grease off asphalt and other hard surfaces. It is also deadly to animals and humans if ingested. It is imperative not to let it splash on you, especially in your eyes or mouth. After taking proper precautions, make a paste from the tri-sodium phosphate by adding some water to it, a small amount at a time. apply the tri-sodium phosphate to the affected area. Use a stiff-bristle scrub brush to thoroughly scrub the stained area. Let the mixture sit for at least thirty-minutes, making sure no children or pets make contact with it. Then, absorb the oil into a clean cloth or paper towel. Rinse with clean water and be amazed at the results.
- Commercial Degreasing Agents - Degreasing agents can be found in laundry boosters and stain fighters and also with house cleaning products. Often times, you can find actual asphalt degreaser in the cleaning supply section of a store that has an extensive line of outdoor products. As long as the formulation says it is a degreaser, you are good to go. Dab up any excess liquid from the area, like oil or water. Apply the degreasing agent and let it sit overnight or at least for several hours. Then, add a little water and scrub with a stiff cleaning brush. Rinse with clean water and absorb the extra liquid. If you need to, you can apply another layer of degreaser and give it one last brushing and rinsing. Dry the area with paper towels or a clean cloth.
- Muriatic Acid - Muriatic acid is extremely harsh and dangerous. Just a whiff of it can send you (or a loved human or pet) straight to the emergency room...or worse. This option should be used only as a last resort. Be sure to wear protective eye goggles and gloves. Also be sure there is plenty of ventilation and that there is no heavy wind that could blow fumes in the direction of you or another living creature. Muriatic acid can be sprayed or poured lightly over the greasy area. It doesn’t take much. Warning - once the chemical solution makes contact, it will react in a way that sends fumes into the air. Those fumes can be deadly so do not breathe them. Wait a few minutes and rinse the area, preferably with a pressure washer. Be sure the water doesn’t splash you or another person or animal. The results are astounding.
- Pine Sol - Pine Sol is a cleaning solution that is wonderful for cleaning grease-based stains on hard surfaces. Make sure to dab up an excess water or liquid and then apply Pine Sol over the area in full strength. Let it sit for an hour at least. Then, scrub with a cleaning brush and reapply a layer of Pine Sol. Scrub the area again, using circular motions. Rinse the area well with clean water and use a clean cloth to absorb the liquid and the stain.
When to use SealcoatinG
Driveway and parking lot sealing is a service that is available that will clean and protect your asphalt parking lot, driveway, or road. Since asphalt pavement is composed primarily of rock and/or stone and gravel with a binding agent, the area can become dull or stained. The binder is derived from a distillation of petroleum crude oils so it is imperative to maintain the binder in order to prolong the life of the asphalt to prevent having to have it repaired for cracks, potholes, and other problems. A road or parking lot sealing or driveway sealcoating solves all of these issues.
There are many things that take a toll on asphalt pavement aside from stains. UV rays, chemical spills, and weather conditions make it lose its luster and fade out. The binder becomes compromised too, leaving the surface brittle and vulnerable.
Sealcoating provides a layer of protection by blocking out elements like oil, water, and sun and weather damage. In addition, seal-coating helps prevent slipping and sliding over the surface too.
The coating is applied using the instructions the manufacturer explains on the label as all products are a little different. Typically, sealcoats are made of acrylics or bituminous based emulsions that are mixed with silica sand, polymer additives, water, and other fillers and solids. The mixture is applied to the pavement with a squeegee, a spray, or a brush, like a paint brush. A minimum of two coats is recommended. It is best to sealcoat when the outside temperature is over 50 degrees and no rain is in the forecast.
The seal coat dry time may vary so read the instructions and make sure the pavement is not driven or walked on while it is curing, or drying. Once it is dry, you will be stunned at the difference and will reap the rewards for a long time.You’ll want to reapply coatings as suggested by the manufacture. You can also hire a professional sealcoating service to do the work for you.
If removing asphalt stains from your driveway or any other surface is proving to be too involved or literally impossible to achieve, it’s time to turn to the pros. An asphalt parking lot repair and cleaning service or asphalt driveway service can make your pavement look as good as new for a lot less than hiring new paving services to redo the asphalt.
There are many things that take a toll on asphalt pavement aside from stains. UV rays, chemical spills, and weather conditions make it lose its luster and fade out. The binder becomes compromised too, leaving the surface brittle and vulnerable.
Sealcoating provides a layer of protection by blocking out elements like oil, water, and sun and weather damage. In addition, seal-coating helps prevent slipping and sliding over the surface too.
The coating is applied using the instructions the manufacturer explains on the label as all products are a little different. Typically, sealcoats are made of acrylics or bituminous based emulsions that are mixed with silica sand, polymer additives, water, and other fillers and solids. The mixture is applied to the pavement with a squeegee, a spray, or a brush, like a paint brush. A minimum of two coats is recommended. It is best to sealcoat when the outside temperature is over 50 degrees and no rain is in the forecast.
The seal coat dry time may vary so read the instructions and make sure the pavement is not driven or walked on while it is curing, or drying. Once it is dry, you will be stunned at the difference and will reap the rewards for a long time.You’ll want to reapply coatings as suggested by the manufacture. You can also hire a professional sealcoating service to do the work for you.
If removing asphalt stains from your driveway or any other surface is proving to be too involved or literally impossible to achieve, it’s time to turn to the pros. An asphalt parking lot repair and cleaning service or asphalt driveway service can make your pavement look as good as new for a lot less than hiring new paving services to redo the asphalt.
