5 Warning Signs Your Driveway Needs More Than Just a Patch

Although it is not invincible, a properly maintained asphalt driveway can endure for 20 to 30 years. Although little fractures are a normal part of a driveway's aging process, other signs point to a collapsing foundation. It's time to quit patching and start thinking about a professional resurfacing or replacement if you see any of the five symptoms listed below.

1. Alligator Cracking (Interconnecting Cracks)


If the back of a reptile appears to be your driveway, you have "alligator cracking." These are intricately linked scales that indicate a sub-base failure.

  • Why a patch won't work: This indicates that the ground beneath your car can no longer sustain its weight; it is not a surface problem. If the top is patched, the cracks will just reappear in a few weeks.


2. Significant Puddles and Drainage Issues

The biggest enemy of asphalt is water. Following a downpour, your driveway may have low places if


you see "birdbaths" (standing water).

  • The Danger: In colder climes, water performs a freeze-thaw cycle that breaks the pavement from the inside out. Water also percolates through the permeable asphalt, weakening the soil underneath. A repair won't solve the gravity issue if your driveway's slope has changed.


3. Multiple Deep Potholes

Sometimes a single pothole can be filled successfully. However, extensive "raveling"—the loss of the glue holding the rocks together—is indicated when several potholes start to appear over the surface.

  • The Reality: Filling a lot of holes results in an ugly, lumpy "patchwork quilt" effect that doesn't repair the drive's structural integrity.


4. Sunken Areas Near the Garage or Sidewalk

Have you observed a noticeable drop-off or "lip" where your garage floor meets your driveway? This typically means that the subgrade has been washed away or settled.


  • The Risk: These sunken spots not only present a serious trip danger but also let water collect right up against the foundation of your house. Here, a patch is a short-term solution to a significant structural change.


5. Age and Widespread Graying (Oxidation)


The bitumen (tar) that gives asphalt its flexibility is what gives it its inherent black color. The driveway becomes brittle and gray as a result of UV rays drying up the oils over time.

  • The Verdict: If the material in your driveway is gray, brittle, and covered in tiny fractures and it is more than 20 years old, it has reached its "end of life." Brittle driveways will crumble in other places, so patching them is like attempting to tape a dried leaf back together.

Don't Throw Good Money After Bad

For young roads, patching is an excellent maintenance technique; but, it cannot revive a dead driveway. A professional evaluation is the best course of action to safeguard the safety and value of your house if you see these symptoms.

Know more at Nasib Asphalt Paving - Best Paving Company in Vancouver |Burnaby| Richmond

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