You probably never think of your driveway until there’s a noticeable problem that needs repairing or resurfacing. If you have a driveway that has served you long enough without showing any signs of challenges, you should be more concerned about its well-being now than when you first installed it.
While taking good care of your paving will certainly keep it from wearing out too fast, some damage is not too easy to notice. Below, we’ll look at three major tell-tale signs that your driveway needs repaving and not just simple repairs.
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More Widespread Cracks Are Forming
As your pavement surfaces age, the once subtle cracks begin to widen and spread across your driveway. While these cracks initially look lean and harmless, if left unattended for a long time, they can expand, causing bigger problems. These cracks are usually common in concrete and asphalt driveways after sustained years of continued use and tension.
Homeowners often choose to repair small cracks to avoid bigger problems in the long run, but with time, oil, deicing products, and debris only cause these cracks to expand. If you notice your pavement cracks are getting longer, deeper, and wider, it’s important to seek local professional help as fast as possible, depending on your type of paving.
For instance, if you have asphalt paving Indianapolis, you’re better off working with an Indianapolis asphalt paving company than a general paver. An experienced contractor will advise on whether to replace or repair the cracks. In most cases, it’s better to just replace the driveway surface because repairs might not last long enough.
Potholes Are Forming in Your Driveway
Having cracks in a driveway is bad enough, but potholes are not only unacceptable but also hazardous in a residential driveway. They’ll first cause problems with your car before posing physical danger to everyone in your home. Potholes often appear after years of contraction and expansion beneath your driveway, making them hard to spot until they are formed.
Once a pothole forms, you can fix it quickly with either a hot patch, cold patch, or infrared methods. When you apply the correct repair methods early, you can extend your pavement’s life for a significant period. However, sometimes repairing the pothole is just concealing a small part of a larger problem beneath.
With time, the underlying problem will force the potholes to resurface, costing you more in repairs. The best solution to incessant potholes is to replace the driveway entirely for a more lasting solution.
Water is Pooling
If you notice water pooling on your driveway, it’s a sign that your driveway is uneven or sloped and needs to be replaced. There’s no easier way to handle poor drainage in your driveway than to resurface it fresh. Repair work can include adding culverts, inlets, and curbs to direct water away from the pavement and into a functional drainage system. However, you may just need to replace the whole surface to repair the damaged drainage system.
When the pavement was first installed, the surface was probably leveled and set evenly to ensure water flows smoothly through your driveway. However, with time, depressions may form on the pavement surface, causing water to pool in those areas.
If left unresolved for a long time, this stagnant water may cause more serious problems for your driveway and surrounding structures. The best way out is to hire a professional who understands effective pitch, drainage, and slope strategies when installing a pavement.
If you notice any of these three signs on your driveway surface, you need to act fast to stop the problem from spreading. Sometimes, repairing the damage might look like an easier way out, but it’s always important to assess the extent of damage before rushing to repair. A professionally done resurfacing can go a long way in improving your driveway’s lifespan.
