In general, you should plan on replacing your asphalt driveway every 20 years. But how long your driveway lasts will depend on how much maintenance it’s received over the years as well as the conditions it’s endured. For example, you may have to replace your driveway sooner if you didn’t invest in sealcoating.
Here are some of the main signs you should repave your asphalt driveway in the near future.
As the name suggests, alligator cracking is a series of cracks that resemble the scaly hide of an alligator. If you see alligator cracking in the pavement, this is a sign that you will need to
.Alligator cracking occurs when the foundation has deteriorated. Alligator cracking also can’t be filled in like other types of cracks because the damage is too extensive.
Sections of sunken pavement and standing water are signs that the asphalt has weakened significantly. Divots and impressions in the pavement can be created when there is too heavy a load sitting on the surface. For example, most driveways were not engineered to withstand the weight of dumpsters, piles of construction supplies, or heavy non-passenger vehicles.
More damage to your pavement is caused when these heavy loads sit on the pavement for long periods of time. In fact, if you were to remove a heavy load from your pavement, you might notice a matching indentation.
If there is a lot of damage along your driveway, this could be a sign of a deteriorating foundation. A few asphalt cracks and potholes here and there are to be expected. However, when your driveway is riddled with potholes and cracks, this could be a sign of serious foundational damage.
Stormwater can collect in large cracks, potholes, or sections of sunken pavement. When water isn’t able to drain properly, the standing water can cause the surface of your driveway to deteriorate. Likewise, if the water is allowed to seep into the foundation it can cause permanent structural damage.
It’s not uncommon for stormwater to pool near the end of residential asphalt driveways because this is where drivers turn their wheel to back out into the street. Commercial driveways may have standing water because the lot wasn’t designed for heavy vehicles like semi-trucks to park on the surface.
Sinking driveways can also be a sign of improper installation. Make sure you hire an asphalt driveway contractor who will properly compact the foundation and pave asphalt at the right slope for stormwater drainage.
Are you still unsure about whether you should replace your asphalt driveway? Give us a call! We’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your so we can recommend the best course of action.
A-1 Asphalt Inc. is an asphalt driveway contractor based in Grand Rapids, MI, that strives to help customers prolong the life of their asphalt surfaces. To request a free estimate for asphalt driveway paving, call (800) 871-4401. We’d be more than happy to help!
This blog post has been updated.