5 Signs that your Asphalt Driveway needs to be Replaced

by Naman A. Well-Motivated Digital Marketer

While a polished and well-maintained asphalt driveway could enhance the outer appearance of your home, one in a bad shape could ruin this very appearance. And this is not something you would want for your home, built with so much love.

So, the best you could do is get it repaired and if it’s past the point of repair, get it replaced. But how does one get to know if it’s time to replace their driveway? You look for the signs, that’s what you do. When it comes to driveway damage, there are visible signs, literally in plain sight.

All you need to do is keep an eye for them and when these signs start building up, you get your driveway replaced. But what exactly are these signs? To make it easy for you to track here is a list of 5 signs that your asphalt driveway needs to be replaced.

1. Cracking Surface

Like every other driveway, asphalt driveways are also subject to normal wear and tear. With time, small cracks might start appearing on the surface of your driveway but it’s only normal considering its everyday exposure to harsh weather conditions and the tires of your vehicles.

But these cracks become a sign that you need to replace your asphalt driveway when they keep increasing and become longer and deeper than ever. Unlike small cracks, which are not really visible unless closely observed, these cracks would stand out every time you have a look at your driveway.

So, when you yourself cannot ignore these cracks anymore, it’s time to get your driveway replaced.

2. Not One but Many Potholes

May it be on the roads or your driveway, potholes are never a sign of something good. It’s like a big signboard with the word replace or repair written all over it. An aging asphalt and potholes go hand in hand.

The natural geological movement of the ground beneath your asphalt driveway weakens the foundation of your driveway and results in small cracks.

Then with the normal wear and tear, owing to constant exposure to traffic, these cracks expand and take the shape of a pothole. So, when you see multiple potholes running across your asphalt driveway, it’s time to get it replaced.

But remember that a single pothole is merely because of a loose spot, in that case, you can simply get that part repaired or resurfaced.

3. Standing Water

The porosity of your asphalt is one of the key factors that makes it the right fit for your driveway. Standing water is not normal in the case of asphalt driveways as its porous surface allows water to seep through the surface of the driveway.

So, if you see that water is pooling in your driveway instead of getting drained completely, you would have to get it replaced. Standing water can worsen the already bad state of your driveway as it paves way for cracks and potholes.

One important reason why water pooling should not be ignored is that during winters, this water can freeze and make the surface of your driveway slippery and that could be really dangerous. So, it’s best to get it replaced before the winter months arrive.

4. A Rough, Uneven, and Discoloured Surface

When you think of an asphalt driveway, a polished black surface comes to your mind. That’s how it’s supposed to look. But if you notice that the surface of your driveway has become rough, uneven and the color has faded considerably and turned greyish, then replacing it is the only option that you have.

An uneven surface is a sign that your driveway is damaged from within, so resurfacing it won’t make much difference. Discolouration of your driveway can be dealt with through resurfacing but when it is accompanied by a rough and uneven surface, a complete replacement is what you have to do.

5. Your Asphalt Driveway’s Lifespan

Like us humans, everything has a fixed lifespan and when it crosses that period, its functionality falls to the minimum. The same is the case with your asphalt paving.

Statistically, the average lifespan of your driveway can go up to 30 years, and when it starts nearing that age, potholes, and cracks that we talked about start becoming more and more prominent.

At this point, replacing your driveway would be like throwing your money down the drain as it’s not an investment that will last for long. So, the smartest thing to do is to get it replaced.

Tips to Maintain Your Asphalt Driveway

While you have to replace your driveway when the time eventually comes, you can extend it with proper maintenance. From our experts, we have brought you a few tips for your driveway’s longevity.

Conduct regular inspections, and get the small cracks and other damages repaired immediately.
Seal your driveway with high-quality sealing.
Be extra careful about your asphalt driveway’s edges as they are the most susceptible to damage.
Prevent oil spills and if it occurs, make sure you clean it up immediately.
Clean your driveway frequently.

Now you are well-equipped to make the right choice regarding your asphalt driveway. So, if you notice any of these signs and they have been bothering you, you can contact us and our experts would be there to cater to all your needs. From resurfacing, repair to replacement our experts specialise in it all and would be happy to help you out.