Your driveway is one of the first things visitors to your home will notice. If it’s full of cracks and potholes, they may assume the rest of the property isn’t well-maintained. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert to make driveway repairs.
Why Do I Have Driveway Problems?
One of the reasons a driveway might crack and develop holes is poor installation. Heavy usage over the years adds to the recipe for problems. Another cause of driveway issues is that water seeps in below the surface, causing the ground beneath to shift. Tree roots are another common cause of pavement issues.
Driveway Repairs: Fill Potholes and Large Cracks
Use a driveway patching compound to repair potholes. Mixing this type of compound typically requires nothing more than a container filled with water and something to stir the mix. Depending on whether you have a concrete or asphalt driveway, the type of compound will differ. Regardless of the type of patch you are applying, it has to be tamped down until it’s even with the rest of the driveway surface. Don’t expect a DIY driveway patch to last forever. The original cause of the problem may eventually undo your work. Touchups may be necessary in the future.
Repairing Smaller Driveway Problems
It’s sometimes possible to repair small cracks in your driveway with a liquid filler. Because these fillers come ready-mixed, they can quickly be applied to the problem area without having to prepare a special mixture.
Cracks in your driveway that are more than 0.25-inch wide or deeper than a couple of inches can be a sign of more severe problems. Call an expert to assess the damage and make repairs.
Resurfacing a Driveway
Constantly patching a deteriorating driveway is not a good long-term solution. The time might come when you need to have it resurfaced. Hire an experienced contractor. They will remove the top layer of the driveway and then pour a completely new surface over it. To do this, special machinery is necessary as well as a way to dispose of the debris.
Resurfacing a driveway is not a DIY project. Hiring a professional to do the job will provide a long-lasting result. When hiring a contractor, get quotes from more than one company. Ask for references and examples of their work.
Resurfacing will involve a relatively large-scale demolition job. The old surface is stripped away, and the materials have to be hauled off. During the repairs, you will not be able to use the driveway, but the result will be a long-lasting surface you can enjoy for years.
Pro Home Inspection Services provides home inspections to Charleston and the surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.