When to Repave Asphalt Driveway
Maintaining your driveway is essential. It does not only improve the curb appeal, but it also increases the value of your property. However, it’s important to understand that it’s never an easy task to maintain a driveway—especially an asphalt paved one. You need to know when the driveway needs a seal coating or repaving.
When Should You Repave Your Asphalt Driveway
Alligator cracking
At times, you will realize that your asphalt driveway has a sequence of cracks that look like the scaly skin of an alligator. When you see the signs of alligator cracking in your driveway, it’s time to resurface your driveway. Mostly, alligator cracking on asphalt driveways happens as a result of weakened foundation. Unfortunately, you cannot fill in or seal coat the cracks since the damage is significant.
Potholes and cracks
A deteriorating foundation can cause significant damage to your driveway. It is normal to have a few potholes and cracks on your driveway. However, if you notice that your driveway is full of cracks and potholes, it’s a sign of serious damage to the foundation. You should have your driveway repaved as soon as possible to prevent additional damage.
Sunken driveway
A sunken asphalt driveway is an indication that the asphalt is deteriorating. Impressions and divots on the surface can happen, especially if you use your driveway frequently. For instance, you might realize that your driveway wasn’t designed to handle the weight of heavy vehicles like dumpsters.
Heavy loads like construction materials or heavy machinery sitting on your driveway for extended periods of time can cause additional damage. Thus, you should make sure that your driveway is reinforced to handle some extra load. Otherwise, it will be the same cycle of repaving a sunken driveway as a result of heavy loads.
Stagnant water
Rainwater can gather in large potholes and cracks, or areas of a sunken driveway. If this water cannot drain properly, it can affect the driveway’s structural integrity. Similarly, allowing the water to seep into the foundation can seriously affect the structural integrity of the driveway.
Well, it’s normal for water to collect in certain areas of an asphalt paved driveway. However, you should let a repaving expert inspect your driveway if you notice that water isn’t draining properly. The expert will help determine whether your surface needs immediate attention to prevent further damage or if it can wait until the rainy season is over.
With that said, there are some additional things to consider before making that final decision.
Here are four things to consider before deciding whether or not to repave your driveway:
- The cost – you should evaluate your budget, and see how much you need to resurface your driveway. Generally, it costs $1 – $2 per sq. Ft. to resurface asphalt surfaces. These figures should assist you in determining the total cost that you need to resurface your asphalt driveway. Other factors that can affect the total cost include location and current condition of the driveway.
- Current damage – before repaving your asphalt driveway, any pre-existing damages should be repaired. It doesn’t matter what type of damage is on the driveway—just make sure that it’s fixed before you start the repaving process. Moreover, you should understand that certain damages like cracks can go all the way to the base layer of the driveway. If that’s the case, repaving isn’t a good option before repairing the surface.
- Weather – you should factor in the weather conditions before repaving your driveway. Warm weather is the best for asphalt paving. That’s why you should consider your resurfacing project during warmer months, like towards the end of the spring season, as well as throughout the summer season. The weather in these seasons makes it easier to work with asphalt, and also assists it dry well.
- Drying time – resurfacing asphalt surfaces requires patience and expertise. Therefore, you should understand that you will need to give your driveways ample time to dry. Typically, it takes an average of 24 – 48 hours for asphalt to cure. Therefore, you should make sure that you don’t drive your car on your driveway before it dries. Using your driveway before drying can affect its appearance and functionality too.
Finding a good contractor is key to making your repaving project successful. Therefore, you should make sure that you hire someone reputable in repaving driveways if you want to avoid the extra costs for repairing your driveway.
The following are important factors to consider when choosing a repaving contractor
Experience
Hiring a professional contractor with years of experience in asphalt paving will make sure that your driveway gets the professional care it deserves. Moreover, you should make sure that you find a contractor who can communicate professionally and deliver amazing results at the same time. The best way to make sure that you get an experienced contractor is by checking their previous projects, as well as checking their references.
Warranty
Any professional and reputable contractor should offer a guarantee for their work. Moreover, customer satisfaction should be their top priority. If your contractor offers a warranty for their project, it means that they can deliver quality work.
However, it’s important to note that the warranties offered on asphalt paving projects do differ depending on the project. Thus, you should make sure that the conditions are stated on the contract. Experts will give you tips on how to take care and extend the lifespan of your asphalt driveway.
Equipment
It’s essential to know the type of equipment your contractor will be using. If the contractor has old machines that break down frequently, it means they might not complete the project in time. It’s important to understand that asphalt cools very fast. Hence, if the project takes too long to complete, the final result won’t be pleasing.
Experts at ABC Paving & Sealcoating share that one should never hire any contractor who doesn’t have paving equipment. Most of these contractors do the paving projects by hand—and their results are not durable. It’s a bit costly to use asphalt paving machines—but they do come with a lot of efficiency, as well as quality results.
So, you should never believe anyone who promises machine quality and efficiency, and yet they will do the job by hand. A reputable asphalt paving contractor must have modern paving machines for quality and long-lasting results.
Scope of the project
At times, the scope of the entire project can be vague. So, if you are receiving quotes from different contractors, make sure that each has a clear scope of the project. This will make it easier for you when comparing the quotes from each contractor.
Moreover, you should make sure that you select an accurate and detailed scope of the project, one that you are confident will suit your needs. This is important as it ensures an effective and durable project.
Work crew
A reputable repaving contractor should have a sizable work crew. Typically, a repaving contractor should have an average of seven workers on site. If the contractor is understaffed, there is a possibility that they won’t complete your project on time.
Moreover, the work crew needs to have the necessary experience. This will ensure that they deliver the best possible results.
