DRIVEWAY UPGRADE

3 Signs It’s Time To Update Your Driveway

As you enjoy your summer outside, you may start to notice all the areas of your home that lack curb appeal. Your driveway sees a lot of day to day traffic, and unfortunately, usually doesn’t get the seasonal maintenance it needs, meaning it can start to look pretty worse for wear after a few short years. If you notice uneven and broken interlock or cracked asphalt, it’s likely time to give your driveway the attention it deserves. Here are 3 signs your driveway could use some TLC this summer.

1. Standing Water

The first and most obvious sign of damage is water pooling on your driveway’s surface. Though it may seem minor, you should reach out to a pro who can rectify this drainage issue. When melted snow fails to drain away from your driveway, there is a chance that it will seep into small cracks in your driveway’s surface and freeze. If this water freezes, which we know is likely during the ups and downs of a Canadian spring, it will expand and slowly break apart your driveway’s foundation. As a result, it’s best to have a driveway specialist come by and repave the surface of your driveway before it needs to be replaced altogether.

2. Cracks

Luckily, if you notice cracks but they are less than ¼” wide, they can be quickly repaired by a pro using a liquid crack filler. Cracks this size are usually a result of concrete shrinkage, which is common as your driveway settles and water in the concrete mixture begins to evaporate. The important thing to remember is that if these cracks aren’t properly filled or repaved, water will enter the lower layers of your driveway and cause further damage.

While small cracks are a bit of an eyesore, they usually aren’t indicative of a larger structural issue. However, take note if the surface of your driveway starts to resemble the texture of an alligator’s back. Concrete and asphalt driveways need to be resealed every 2 to 3 years. It’s especially important that Canadian homeowners adhere to this regular maintenance schedule due to our extreme climate, as sealant protects your driveway from U.V. and water damage.

Alligator cracks are a sign that your driveway hasn’t been adequately protected, and indicates that the sub-layers of your driveway may no longer be able to support the surface. If left unaddressed, the networks of cracks will continue to grow, leaving potholes where pieces have chipped away.

3. Raveling

If you have an asphalt driveway, you should also check for signs of raveling. Asphalt consists of two ingredients: binder and aggregate. Down the line, it’s possible that these ingredients will start to lose their bond. Loose pieces of gravel on the surface of your driveway are solid evidence that this is the case. If treated right away, this problem can be quickly resolved. However, if left unaddressed, larger pieces of aggregate will come loose, breaking up the surface of your driveway entirely and allowing water to gain access to the base of your driveway. If you’re unsure how to identify this kind of damage, have a paving specialist come by to diagnose the issue and decide on the best course of action.