A cracked and damaged driveway can cause many issues, such as standing water and tripping hazards. An unsightly driveway may cause your home's value and curb appeal to decrease.
Because the driveway is a massive part of your home's first impressions, keeping it in tip-top shape is essential. If you're looking for tips on repairing or replacing a driveway, you've come to the right place. We've written a handy guide to driveway repairs and replacements. Read on to learn more!
REPAIRING A DRIVEWAY
Various levels of damage can occur to a driveway. The most common driveway damage is small surface cracks.
While it may seem like these cracks can be left alone, the wear and tear from heavy cars and foot traffic will ensure that those cracks continue to deepen and grow.
Driveway cracks also become inviting places for weeds and stray grass to make a new home. This can speed up the damage to your driveway as their roots spread.
You should consider patching if you have just a few mild cracks. This can be done with concrete filler if your driveway is made of concrete. If you have an asphalt driveway, patch it with asphalt sealant.
Be sure to patch any minor cracks as soon as you see them. This will prevent them from growing and becoming more of a problem. However, keep in mind that patching is always a temporary fix.
Patching buys you a couple of years more life on your driveway in the long run. This is the most affordable and accessible option for driveway repair if you catch it early enough.
RESURFACING A DRIVEWAY
If your driveway is beginning to chip, has major cracks, or has more than a quarter of its surface damaged, consider resurfacing. Like patching, resurfacing is still a temporary fix, although it can add quite a few years to the life of your driveway.
Resurfacing is more expensive than patching but is a good solution if your driveway needs major repairs and you need more money for a complete replacement. You can resurface any type of driveway, including asphalt driveways.
When evaluating your driveway for damage, check how deep the damage goes. Resurfacing on top of a crack that goes all the way through will seal moisture inside and end up ruining your resurfacing.
REPLACING A DRIVEWAY
If you have the budget and your driveway needs a major facelift, consider replacing a driveway entirely. This is the most expensive option but allows you to start fresh and have a perfect driveway.
It's also an excellent opportunity to upgrade your driveway to asphalt if you have a dirt or gravel driveway.
DRIVEWAY PROFESSIONALS
You should hire professionals if you want to resurface or replace your asphalt driveway. This ensures that your driveway is perfectly levelled, graded, and smooth as silk.
A professionally-installed asphalt driveway will last for decades if it is well-maintained. We offer top-notch professional asphalt paving services for both residential and commercial clients. If you need to replace a driveway, contact us today at 519-725-3888.