3 Asphalt Failure Signs in Driveways
Your driveway is an extension of your home, and you’ve worked hard to keep up with it. Like appliances, your driveway needs routine maintenance and care to keep it beautiful and durable – but, nothing lasts forever. Heavy traffic, freeze-thaw cycles, UV rays, quality of installation, and a variety of other factors play into the longevity of asphalt. That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on the condition of your driveway.
The team at Blacktop Concepts considers all weather and environmental conditions when reviewing asphalt, ensuring that you get a beautiful and durable driveway that is guaranteed to last. We provide quality residential asphalt services to homes in both Western Wisconsin and counties in St. Paul, MN.
Asphalt Failure Types
In reality, you’ll often know when it’s time to replace your driveway by just looking at it. At a certain point, it’s just time to go. However, if you intend to keep up with your driveway, we’ve outlined the most common residential asphalt failure types to look out for:
1 – Cracks
Over time, the binder keeping your driveway together will wear down resulting in different cracking patterns that allow moisture and other elements to penetrate the surface. Once this occurs, the foundation of your driveway is compromised and additional damages can occur. When you notice severe cracking in your driveway, it’s time to give us a call.
Though general cracks in your driveway are easy to identify, there are some specific driveway crack types that help you determine whether replacement or repair is needed:
Expansion Cracking
These cracks are expected on hard surfaces in our northern climates, and can typically be remedied without professional assistance. However, if these side-to-side cracks expand to the point that they become gaping cracks, it might be time to loop in a driveway expert.
Alligator Cracking
These spiderweb-like cracks are often the result of poor driveway installation or planning that didn’t account for vehicle size and weight. These cracks can present anytime from installation to many years down the road but are often a key indicator that your foundation needs to be replaced.
Edge Cracking
Like the name suggests, these cracks form along the edge of your driveway and are exacerbated by prolonged parking too close to the edge. This damages the structural support and allows for large cracks to separate pieces of asphalt that can then be washed away in heavy rain, winds, or snow.
2 – Drainage Issues
Water can cause a lot of (costly) problems in and around the home, sometimes stemming from your driveway’s poor drainage design. Through the most common sign of drainage issues in your asphalt driveway is standing water or puddles, there are other signs that indicate poor drainage:
Standing Water in Yard
When our yards flood we usually look towards septic tanks as the problem, when sometimes it can be a lot simpler. The slope of your driveway could pitch in either direction, pushing rainwater or snowmelt into your yard rather than the street. Though there are quick fixes to this issue, a more long-term solution would involve contacting a professional to schedule regrading or replacement.
Flooding in Garage or Home
Similarly to above, when your driveway is sloped incorrectly or foundation movement below the surface has caused your driveway to pitch to one direction, you may find that your home or driveway floods with rainwater or snowmelt.
3 – Potholes
Not only are potholes an eyesore on your otherwise beautiful driveway, but they can also wreak havoc on your cars and lead to further structural damages. Potholes are a gateway for rain, snow, and ice to penetrate the surface often causing irreparable damage to your driveway’s foundation.
Potholes and indents are different though – indents can be made by the tires of heavier cars on warmer days where the asphalt is more malleable. Though indents shouldn’t be alarming at first sight, if you notice them growing larger or collecting water (that won’t run off) then it’s a sign that repair services are needed.
Stains & Fading
Thankfully, fades or stains are more telling of prolonged use than of your driveway’s integrity. These signs are often purely aesthetic and will not affect the long-term use of your driveway, though if you think your driveway has seen better days, then it might be time to give our team a call.
Usually, signs of fading or stains are a result of heavy traffic on your driveway’s surface that breaks down the protective seal coating barrier.
Free Driveway Replacement Estimates in Wisconsin & Minnesota
If you’re noticing any signs of wear and tear that seem alarming, give our team a call. We’ll have an expert stop by to review all damages and outline a course of action to replace your driveway.
Though we provide services in the Spring, Summer, and Fall, we also provide driveway assessments over the winter so you can get on the schedule for the paving season as we usually book up fast once the weather turns up.
