When is it Time to Resurface your Driveway
Knowing when to resurface your driveway is an essential aspect of being a homeowner. It is crucial, not just for functionality but for the sake of aesthetics.
It can be confusing to know when to schedule repairs for your driveway. Do you resurface it when the cracks are tiny or when they are large? Do you resurface when actual potholes appear, or do you wait until the entire asphalt is degraded before resurfacing? Or, do you fix each patch as it appears?
All of these questions will be answered below. Read on!
How to know when to resurface your driveway
Small Holes and Cracks
When looking to resurface your driveway, you should look out for certain holes and cracks. These degradations are sure indicators of when you should begin to conduct a repair. Here, you can repair them with fill-ins and one-off patches.
It is ideal to resurface your driveway when you discover cracks less than one-fourth of an inch wide or less than two inches in depth.
Large-scale deterioration
In cases when the damage is more significant, such as the degradation of the entire asphalt, you should begin to consider resurfacing.
Several factors contribute to the large-scale deterioration of the driveway. An example is when water pools in patches due to bad drainage systems. If left unfixed over time, the water will slowly but surely erode the top and underneath layers.
A completely deteriorated asphalt is a sure sign that you need to resurface your driveway. When the entire structural integrity is compromised, it can be unsightly and downright dangerous.
Sloping areas and bumps
Other than gaping holes and web-like cracks, you should also consider resurfacing your driveway when you begin to notice unevenness in the layout. This unevenness usually takes the form of slopes and bumps. Sometimes, the bumps will be large enough for you to notice when you drive across the driveway. In such a case, resurfacing is the next best thing to do.
A twenty-year-old driveway
When your driveway is 20 years old, you should begin to consider resurfacing, even if there are minimal cracks and potholes. However, there can be some confusion about when the latest asphalt on your current driveway was laid, such as if you bought your home from someone.
When the foundation is not intact
This is the single most important determinant for when or whether you should resurface your driveway. Even if you go on to resurface gaping holes and cracks, it will be pointless if the foundation is not in good condition. This is because the state of the soil beneath plays a huge role in how fast the uppermost layer degrades.
If your driveway’s foundation isn’t intact or showing other signs of deterioration, Oakes Paving can help you with the resurfacing! Contact us and let’s know how we can help!
