Your driveway is an extremely sturdy part of your property, and it likely doesn’t seem like something you need to pay a lot of attention to, but it does break down over time. Eventually, you’re going to need to repair it.
Unfortunately, unlike something that’s obvious when it breaks such as an HVAC system, stove, or flooring issue, it’s not as easy to tell when you need to get some help for your driveway.
Today, we’re going to go over the top 5 signs your driveway needs to be repaired. Including what it looks like, what causes it, and what the likely repair will be.
1. Fading Over Time
One of the signs that you’re going to need repairs soon is that the color of your driveway is dramatically fading. Now, it’s important to note that it can start to look a bit lighter as dust accumulates on it, but if you wash it properly and it’s clearly faded, there’s a problem.
This is likely due to UV rays affecting the concrete. Sealant helps slow this process down, but eventually, it impacts every driveway surface.
The issue with this fading isn’t the appearance of the driveway. For most people, that’s a non-issue. However, it’s a sign that the bonding material holding your driveway together is being broken down slowly, and because of that, you’ll start to experience much bigger problems even if you’ve taken great care of your driveway.
Resurfacing the driveway is a common solution, but depending on the extent of the damage, there might be other options, too.
2. Potholes
This is a serious problem that needs to be resolved quickly. Unfortunately, the underlying issue is typically something that requires more extensive measures to solve, too.
You likely know what a pothole looks like. So, there’s no reason to explain it. However, the underlying cause might be a surprise.
A pothole isn’t just the degradation of the pavement over time. Underneath your pavement, the ground has shifted, been eroded by water, or otherwise removed in a large enough amount that the pavement in that area was no longer supported. So, it collapsed in on itself.
Depending on the size of the pothole and the underlying cause, it might be plausible to fill the pothole and have no further issues. However, in some cases, such as a drainage issue or water saturation issue on your property, that might just be a temporary fix that leads to the problem continuously happening.
Dealing with the underlying problem and then repairing the driveway with a patch or sealing might be a more effective solution.
3. Standing Water
Your driveway is designed to drain itself. When it rains or snow melts, the water should quickly run off and not be a problem anymore.
However, if something happens to the driveway or catch basins, you might have a drainage issue that does not allow that water to escape.
When this happens, you’ll notice water pooling on the driveway and staying there until it evaporates. This is a big problem because standing water will quickly erode parts of your driveway.
If you don’t handle this situation quickly, it can result in costly repairs. Multiple patches, full resurfacing treatments, or even outright replacement of the driveway are all possible consequences of not addressing the issue.
Luckily, a professional pavement company can clear the issue up quickly and effectively.
4. Fissures
Large fissures, hairline cracks, or even alligator cracks are likely the types of damage you’re going to notice first without knowing much about pavement and how it works. They’re the most obvious forms of damage.
These are caused by something changing and making the pavement spread apart. There might not be support underneath the driveway anymore, and it’s buckling on itself. Water erosion might wear out small cracks that spread apart more easily, or any number of other things might occur.
The solution to this issue varies depending on the severity of the problem.
If you see one small crack that isn’t likely to be a major issue, a commercial crack sealant can be purchased and applied fairly easily, but there’s a risk to that. If there’s an underlying issue, you won’t be able to determine that, and the problem might persist until it’s much worse than just one small crack.
Beyond that, it’s always better to get professional help. A large crack can be a sign of a major ground shift that needs to be resolved. Alligator cracks, or large groups of connected cracks that look like alligator scales are a sign of a major issue with the driveway, and extensive repairs will be needed. Luckily, alligator cracks tend to pop up due to neglecting smaller issues. So, you have a good chance to prevent them entirely.
In any case, if you notice cracks, immediate repairs are necessary, or the cracks will continue getting bigger until the only thing left to do is fix the whole driveway.
5. The Surface is Uneven
If your driveway’s surface is uneven, there’s a big problem in most cases. It should be an even, leveled surface if it is made correctly. It is likely slightly inclined to allow for water runoff and to meet with the curbside drainage system, but it should still be level.
If it’s not, and it was properly made, there are a few causes for it suddenly warping.
First, the ground could have shifted, and rather than cracking or collapsing like it would with a big shift, it conformed to the ground. Cracks are on the way, though.
Then, water erosion might have worn out part of the ground and caused a dip. Potholes or cracks are going to develop.
There might even be structural problems with the pavement itself that allowed it to move.
Finally, if a tree is nearby, tree roots might have grown underneath the driveway and lifted it. As the tree grows, it will be raised more and more until it cracks and separates.
Get Help with Your Residential Driveway from Barnes Asphalt
If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial not to delay repairs, as they can escalate into much larger and more expensive problems. Barnes Asphalt has years of experience providing top-quality driveway repair services.
Whether it’s filling potholes, fixing drainage issues, or resurfacing cracked and uneven surfaces, we’re equipped with the expertise and tools to handle it all. Our team will assess the damage, pinpoint the root cause, and implement a solution that ensures long-lasting results.
Don’t wait until the damage worsens—contact Barnes Asphalt today, and we’ll restore your driveway to excellent condition, enhancing both the appearance and safety of your property.