How to Determine If You Need New Asphalt Paving

Even the most beautiful of homes won’t look its best if the driveway is in a poor state of repair, and needs to be replaced or otherwise patched up and overhauled.

Not only is your driveway frequently one of the most visible cosmetic features of your home to any passers by who might be watching from the road, but the integrity of your driveway will also potentially have a significant impact on the condition of your vehicle, as time goes on.

As with all other elements of home repair and maintenance, the earlier an issue with your driveway is spotted and patched up, the lower the likelihood that there will be long-term consequences and problems.

Sometimes, though, the signs are pretty clear that your driveway really does need to be replaced outright.

Here are a few ways that you can determine if you need new asphalt paving.

Cracks start appearing

It’s a natural part of the aging process of both asphalt and concrete surfaces, that they begin to crack.

Sometimes, asphalt surfaces can go a long time without substantial cracks showing up – but, at other times, cracks can develop relatively quickly. Especially if the surface is regularly exposed to things like de-icing salt, gas, oil, or is subject to the expanding effects of water freezing in winter.

Small cracks can often be patched up, but longer, wider, and deeper cracks are signs of structural damage that give a clear indication that you need to get a new driveway installed.

There simply isn’t a reliable way to repair large cracks in asphalt – at least, not in a way that will last.

Your driveway has potholes

Cracks are largely cosmetic issue that points to underlying structural issues, but potholes have very real potential to cause serious damage to your vehicle.

Potholes are formed due to the expanding and contracting of the ground underneath the driveway, with the end result being that the driveway material itself begins to weaken, crack, and buckle.

Potholes can generally be repaired, but filling a pothole doesn’t address the underlying issues that are causing it. For older driveways in particular, this can mean that you end up fighting a never-ending battle.

Replacing your driveway can be a good solution when faced with potholes – particularly as newer materials and techniques are often more resilient to potholes than older ones.

Your driveway just looks like it’s at the end of its life

When all is said and done, you can often tell that your driveway is due for replacement when it just “looks” like it is old, worn, and on the verge of falling apart.

The average asphalt driveway is only intended to last for roughly 20 years. If your driveway is around that age, pre-emptively having it replaced might save you a good deal of frustration down the line.

Not only is a visually worn and unappealing driveway not great for the general aesthetic of your home, but it’s often a tell-tale sign that you are on the verge of experiencing various structural issues – such as potholes and cracks – in the near future.

If you decide to renovate your driveway, you can contact Black Tar Asphalt Paving, or get a contact-free asphalt estimate.