Like any other aspect of your home, your driveway will need occasional maintenance to keep it looking good, usable, and safe. With the right repairs, your driveway can last you a long time, and you can avoid the headache and bill of completely redoing the paving.
Knowing When to Give Your Driveway Some TLC
Luckily, your driveway will show signs that it needs paying attention to, and with the right timing, you can avoid a hefty repair bill and get away with regular maintenance instead. Keep reading our blog as we reveal five signs your driveway needs maintenance to get it looking back to its former glory.
Related: 5 Reasons to Choose Tar King Durban for Your Project
1. Your Driveway is Showing Some Cracks
It’s inevitable that your driveway will crack because as your driveway ages, the tar will start to give way. Not every single crack warrants a repair, but when there are a few showing up, it’s a good sign that it’s time to do a bit of maintenance. Filling in single cracks or small, widening cracks can help prolong the life of your driveway.
Leaving the cracks for too long without maintenance can cause alligator cracks. Alligator cracks are named after alligator skin, which is what the cracks resemble; the pavement is cracked in a way that makes it look like reptile scales. These cracks aren’t usually too deep, but often need a full-depth reclamation in order to properly fix it. That means you will more than likely need to replace your entire driveway, which can be quite costly.
2. Your Driveway is Showing Signs of Warping
Over time, heavy vehicles can cause the asphalt to warp or buckle under the weight, especially if it’s parked in the same place every day for long periods of time. An insufficient base can also be the cause of warping, as a poor base will allow the pavement some give and it can collapse. If the warping is minimal, all that may be required is a touch up to get it fixed, but for more damage, the driveway might need a full asphalt replacement.
Related: 5 Things to Keep in Mind When Redesigning Your Driveway
3. Water is Pooling in Some Areas of Your Driveway
If you notice water puddles in your driveway, it’s time for some repairs. Pooling water is caused by poor drainage or an uneven asphalt surface. Water is a big warning sign and a significant cause of damage, so improving drainage and reducing water pooling is crucial to elongating the life of your driveway. Water can enter underneath the surface of the pavement through cracks. When it freezes and thaws over time, it can strain the surrounding asphalt, which leads to more damage.
4. Your Driveway Has Potholes
Potholes aren’t just unattractive – they’re dangerous. Also caused by water seeping in, freezing and thawing over time, the pavement can break down over the spaces in the soil where melted ice and snow has created a void. They can cause injury to people who don’t see them and cause damage to vehicles. Fixing a pothole immediately is the best course of action to ensure further damage doesn’t occur and repairs become costly.
5. Your Driveway’s Tar is Fading
Exposure to the elements, especially UV rays and extreme weather, can cause your driveway’s surface colour to fade over time. While it’s not a major repair for some major damage, a freshly sealed driveway looks good as new and can make a dramatic difference in terms of curb appeal.
Hire Tar King to Upgrade Your Driveway with Professionalism & Pride
When your driveway needs some TLC from a team with that professional touch, then Tar King is the name to trust. Get in touch with us now for a free quote!