A damaged driveway not only looks unappealing, but it can also depreciate your property’s value. And if you choose to disregard it, then you’ll be expected to spend more than what you’re supposed to. Hence, it is important to evaluate all possible options now so you’ll be able to address these flaws immediately before it gets worsts.
Does your driveway need asphalt resurfacing or complete replacement? Which is more suitable according to the type of damage you have on your pavement? Read more as we’ll tackle more about this topic in today’s entry.
Knowing The Type Of Fix You’ll Need According To Your Situation
Without a doubt, fixing a damaged driveway can be pricey and inconvenient. Yet, not all damage needs a full asphalt replacement. The next best thing to do is to have your damaged driveway repaired or resurfaced as this will be a practical choice, especially if the damage is minimal.
Knowing when to replace or repair your pavement’s surface will prevent you from unnecessarily spending more money for acquiring a service that you don’t really need. Not only that, for your unknowingly wasting your time in the process because you’ll need to find another company to help you with your driveway problem.
So it’s best to know the differences so you will know the kind of services you should avail of to fix your damaged driveway.
When Should You Repair Your Driveway
Asphalt is a durable material, but over time it can sustain a significant amount of damage for various reasons. To be specific, your driveway is exposed to how weather, harsh rains, and melting snow, and other forces of nature that can cause the surface of the asphalt to deteriorate. The extreme heat and seeping water from the rain produce cracks on your driveway.
And if you live in a colder region in the country, the chance of developing crevices on your driveways is still the same since melting snow also seeps down the asphalt, causing it to break apart in different areas.
Fortunately, minor crevices can be easily addressed with liquid crack-fillers. A crack-filler is a type of liquid solution that is used for patching small and superficial cracks on your pavement. And according to experts, small cracks should be repaired immediately to prevent them from getting bigger to the point that it is already beyond repair.
A driveway repair is your best option if you see many small cracks on the pavement. However, when the gaps have grown too large, the crack-filler liquid will not work since it won’t be able to seal the crevices properly.
By engaging in crack repairs early (and as often as you can), you can avoid facing a type of damage that it’s too much for you to handle. Yes, repairing your pavement may not provide the same aesthetic appeal as resurfacing, but it is affordable and time-saving.
When Should You Resurface Your Driveway
If small cracks can’t be addressed with a crack-filler solution, then the next option to take is to have your driveway resurfaced. Resurfacing is the process of placing an additional layer of asphalt on top to cover the existing cracks. In short, the new layer will now be the top layer of your driveway. And as a result, it gives your pavement a fresh new look.
Pavement resurfacing actually depends on the nature of the damage and the type of repair process done. If your pavement has holes and obvious gaps, they must be filled in first to ensure an even surface once the new layer of asphalt is added.
Resurfacing is a recommended option if you have minor cracks on your driveway and you want to cover these imperfections, provided that the base asphalt remains structurally sound. It makes your driveway look new again without having to go through a complete asphalt replacement.
One thing to remember though is that the structural integrity of the bottom layer of the pavement must be intact. Otherwise, cracks will re-appear within a few months, and your efforts to resurface your pavement will all go to waste.
Hence, it is important to check the underlying layer first to know if it’s still structurally sound, because if it’s not, then there’s no other recourse but to have your damaged asphalt completely removed and replaced.
And once you determined that the based layer is still good, the next thing you should is to contact a reliable asphalt paving contractor who offers quality resurfacing services like Biondi Paving & Engineering in Sacramento, CA.
When Should You Replace Your Driveway
While resurfacing proves to be an effective solution for restoring cracks and rejuvenating the surface of your driveway, it’s not recommended in all types of damages since the lifespan of your driveway is usually 15 years. This is the amount of time your pavement needs before its structural integrity will naturally expire.
So if your damaged pavement is nearing its expiry date and nearly 1/3 of the surface has cracks, then the best solution is to have it entirely replaced with a new layer of asphalt.
Repairing the driveway is only practical if there are only a few cracks and they are not too deep. However, you’ll also have to think about the long-term appearance of your pavement as well as the structural integrity. And that’s because asphalt will naturally appear worn off after many years of use.
Hence, full asphalt replacement will be the best solution if you’re going to have a large-scale restructuring project for your driveway. The process of asphalt replacement is as follows:
- Removal of the old asphalt
- Sloping and grading
- Sub base preparation
- Undercutting and proof rolling
- Surface course and binder
- Placing the new asphalt surface
- Butt joints and transitional areas
- Final roll
Your driveway will get the best results in terms of structural integrity and appearance. Although this option is more expensive and time-consuming compared to asphalt repair and resurfacing.
Final Word
Sometimes, deciding whether to have your driveway resurfaced or replaced can be difficult. So always remember, if the surface of your pavement only has minor damage, then go for the resurfacing option. However, if your pavement is old and is plagued with cracks, then choose asphalt replacement.
