Your driveway plays a vital role in the overall appeal of your property. Even if you have a beautiful home, a dull, unkept, and damaged driveway can instantly impact any good first impression that is made. While driveways can easily last for decades, exposure to oil leaks, extreme weather conditions, debris, erosions, and the heavy weight of vehicles can slowly degrade its surface material.

This is why it is essential to identify the signs of a compromised driveway before it poses a liability to your property. Fortunately, there are plenty of signs indicating the need for repair or replacement.

In this article, we take a look at five key signs that it is time to call in a driveway expert.

  1. Cracks on the surface

Over time, it’s not unusual to find cracks in your concrete and asphalt driveways. If acted on quickly enough before further deterioration, cracks less than a quarter-inch wide can be easily repaired. It is however important to bear in mind that any reparation to fix this issue might possibly look darker compared to the surrounding pavement, making the fixes appear quite obvious. This will not only impact your driveway’s overall aesthetic, but also the curb appeal of your home. If you begin to accumulate too many cracks in your driveway, consider a full replacement.

While smaller cracks may be easily repaired by a specialist, larger, deeper, and wider openings often also signify the need for replacement. Harmful substances such as gas, oil, and salt can easily penetrate a compromised driveway to cause further damage by increasing the size of the cracks. These openings also tend to get worse during winter as the freezing and thawing water expands the damaged surface. In such cases, entirely replacing your driveway is recommended.

  1. Potholes are more apparent

Potholes are one of the most apparent signs that your driveway needs either a complete replacement or at least repairing. They are formed when cracks are left unattended for too long. The expansion and contraction of water after it has entered beneath the pavement can cause the driveway material above it to weaken, crumble away, and form a hole. Even after repairing minor potholes, there are chances of them reappearing if the expansion and contraction problem is not dealt with. This is why most homeowners choose to replace their entire driveway instead of spending on extensive repairs that can actually add up to cost as much as a full replacement.

  1. Drainage problems

A well-designed driveway is equipped with at least one type of drainage system. However, if you’re noticing rainwater pooling in multiple areas or running down the middle of your driveway, you’re likely to have drainage issues. Pooling and puddling can prove problematic to not only the integrity of the surface, but can also quickly turn your driveway into a potential safety hazard. If you don’t want to replace your driveway, there are plenty of options to handle this issue. Depending on the state of your driveway, you could install strip drains, add curbing, and even replace the drainage piping. However, if the damage is already done, there is no choice but to completely replace your driveway.

brick-driveway-and-water-drain

  1. Weathered appearance

Faded driveways are an extremely common occurrence, especially when taking into account the harsh Aussie climate. But if your driveway is beginning to look a little worse for wear, it might be time to consider a replacement. UV rays, oxidation, and constant sun exposure can make your coloured concrete driveway appear patchy, unappealing, and past its prime. While there is nothing wrong with a faded driveway, most weathered driveways are also often weak and more susceptible to damages. Concrete sealant is a temporary solution to improve the way your driveway looks. But if its durability is affected, a replacement may be necessary.

  1. An advanced age

The average lifespan of most asphalt driveways are roughly around 15 to 20 years. Concrete driveways on the other hand, can last up to 30 years. It is however important to take into consideration a number of different factors that can affect that number, such as weather conditions, UV rays, presence of damaging chemicals, and driveway usage use. As such, the life expectancy of your driveway could vary somewhat significantly. If your driveway is past its prime, you may even be experiencing a combination of all of the issues mentioned above. At this point, repairs might be less effective. Instead, replace your driveway with newer materials that are made to withstand these issues better.

Looking for reliable and experienced driveways experts in Melbourne? Then look no further than Simply Driveways. With 21 years of experience, we are the go-to specialists when it comes to concrete driveways, including exposed aggregate concrete driveways. Our friendly team is more than ready to assist you with any questions regarding your driveways, so get in touch with us today!