A driveway is more than just a place to park your car. Whether you have an asphalt or concrete driveway, it’s your chance to give a great first impression when guests come to your home. You should tell neighbors you care about your curb appeal by repairing or repaving your driveway when necessary. Speck USA is here with all the information you need to decide which option is best for you.
What Causes Driveway Damage
Winters in Iowa can be brutal. The repetitive freeze-thaw cycles cause hairline cracks in concrete and asphalt to expand. The melting snow often reveals potholes in asphalt driveways.
Other causes of driveway damage include underlying roots from nearby trees and shifting soil. Crumbling edges are a symptom of poor foundational support around the outside. In these cases, driveway repairs might just put a bandaid on a larger problem.
Asphalt Driveways
There are many factors to consider when determining whether to repair or repave your asphalt driveway. Asphalt professionals can easily patch singular cracks or occasional potholes.
On the other hand, if your driveway is completely covered with cracks and potholes or the gaps are bigger, resurfacing or repaving is in order.
Resurfacing is less expensive than repaving because the contractor will resurface just the top of the asphalt. Repaving involves laying down a new level of asphalt, which might be necessary depending on the level of damage.
If your driveway is over 20 years old, it may be past its prime. In this case, call Speck USA for a consultation about your options.
Concrete Driveways
Concrete is similar to asphalt in that small cracks and divots are inevitable over time, and cracks less than half an inch are repairable with patches. It’s best to repair concrete in the spring or summertime if you can wait to do so. Concrete driveways should last about 25 years, so if yours is nearing that age, consider your options.
Just like with asphalt, you can also resurface concrete if you’re not ready to replace the whole thing. Resurfacing will help the driveway to last another eight to ten years if there isn’t a deeper problem that needs to be addressed. Deep cracks and sunken areas indicate a resurfacing job won’t be enough.
Re-pouring your concrete driveway allows you the opportunity to enhance its look by stamping or staining it. This is a great option for a fresh new drive for your home.
Prevent Future Driveway Damage
After repairing, resurfacing, or repaving your driveway, prevent future problems by keeping moisture away from your driveway’s foundation. This means directing sprinkler heads and gutter outlets away from the driveway. Consider adding a waterproof sealant on top of your fresh concrete or asphalt.
Additionally, avoid planting trees or bushes along the edge of your driveway, as this will prevent pesky roots from causing mayhem.
Hire the Best Asphalt or Concrete Driveway Contractor in Des Moines
If you’re still unsure whether it’s time to repair or repave your driveway, call the experts at Speck USA. You can trust our recommendations because we have been in the concrete/asphalt industry for over five decades. Additionally, the quality of our workmanship is unmatched by any other contractor in the area. We won’t rest until you’re ecstatic about your perfectly paved driveway.
