Whether you own a home or business, the driveway repair contractors at A-1 Asphalt Inc. can help you make your asphalt driveway look its best. Doing proper asphalt maintenance of your paved surface will help it last longer. However, there may still come a time when driveway repairs are necessary. Depending on the severity of the cracks in your asphalt driveway, you may be able to hold off on having to pay for a complete replacement. Below you can find our solutions for driveway cracks.
Why Repair Driveway Cracks?
You might not mind the appearance of minor driveway cracks, but if not addressed early on they can lead to trouble down the line. Cracks in your asphalt driveway provide a pathway for water to travel beneath the surface. In the winter, water can get into those cracks and then freeze, expanding and widening the cracks themselves.
Not only is this an aesthetic nuisance, but it’s bad for your driveway, too. When water gets underneath the surface of your asphalt driveway, it can erode the structure underneath. Over time, this causes potholes and even more cracks. By repairing minor cracks as they appear, you can save yourself the hassle of having your driveway repaired, resurfaced, or replaced down the line.
Cracks Under 1 Inch Wide
If there is a driveway crack that is under 1 inch wide, you may be able to do the yourself. At most home improvement stores, you can buy a tube of asphalt patch product and follow these general instructions.
- Clean the driveway crack of dirt or any vegetation. You can use a screwdriver, trowel, or similar tool to complete this step.
- Wash the pavement crack with either a garden hose or power hose.
- Let the crack dry.
- Cut the top of the tube’s spout so that its width is smaller than the crack you want to fill.
- Fill the crack so that it’s level with the surrounding asphalt.
- Smooth out the asphalt patch product.
- Allow treatment to dry for 24 hours.
- Apply a second coat of the asphalt patch product if necessary.
Alligator Cracks
While you can repair small cracks on your own, you want to be aware of the type of cracks in your driveway. If you notice any , you should call us right away to see if driveway replacement is necessary. Alligator cracks are distinctive from other asphalt cracking patterns because they resemble the scaly skin of an alligator.
Alligator cracks are a symptom that the foundation of your driveway is failing. This usually happens when a heavy load sits on top of your driveway for extended periods of time, causing .
Cracks Over 1 Inch Wide
For cracks over 1 inch wide, it is best to contact your West Michigan driveway repair company. We have more than 25 years of experience in helping homeowners just like you maintain the structural integrity of their commercial parking lots and residential driveways.
If your asphalt driveway needs repairs or you believe you need a complete driveway replacement, feel free to call our Grand Rapids driveway repair contractors at (800) 871-4401. At A-1 Asphalt Inc, we are always happy to help clients maintain functional asphalt surfaces.