When applied by a professional contractor, asphalt can be a cost-effective method of paving a driveway. One of the main benefits of asphalt is that it is a durable solution, and when properly cured and sealed it can withstand harsh elements for several years. Unlike other materials that take several days to cure, asphalt will completely dry in hours, allowing homeowners to gain access to their driveways as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware that they need maintenance until it is too late. Here are some of the signs to look for that may signal that you may need to replace your asphalt driveway.
Replace Your Asphalt Driveway: Signs To Look For
When it comes to driveway repair, the owner of the property has three options: patch, resurface, or replace. Patches can help with asphalt that has not been resealed and which has been exposed to the constant freeze and thaw cycles and the thousands of pounds moving over it every day. Small cracks will appear and these minor damages can be re-patched. For an old driveway that may have issues with its foundation, patching and resurfacing is not be a viable solution and the driveway may need to be replaced altogether. Here are the signs to look for:
- Alligator cracking. While small cracks can be repaired or resurfaced, alligator cracks is a sign that there is a problem with the sub-base. Alligator cracks show as a series of overlapping fissures that divide the pavement into broken sections.
- Compounding cracks. A few longitudinal cracks can be repaired. However, if you have several failures, including longitudinal and transverse breaks across the driveway, then the sub-base may have been improperly installed or deteriorated.
- Resurfacing has failed. As mentioned, resurfacing can help remove surface cracks. But, if the problem comes back, then there may be an issue with the underlying base.
When properly constructed and maintained your F&M asphalt driveway will last 15-20 years. Most asphalt driveways can be replaced in 2-3 working days. The maintenance on your new F&M asphalt driveway consists of having the asphalt sealed after 6 months, then regularly sealed every 3-5 years. This will help increase the strength and durability of your new F&M asphalt driveway. Also asphalt driveways are not affected by deicers, when regularly seal coated; however caution needs to be exercised when using deicers so that surrounding concrete is not affected.
About F&M Contractors
We have been at the go-to source to replace your asphalt driveway and walkways since 1978. We cater to residential and commercial real estate, with our contractors specializing in resurfacing and replacing asphalt structures. Contact us for a free estimate.
