When Should I Repave My Asphalt Driveway?

As an asphalt driveway paving company, we get a lot of questions from customers who aren’t sure if they need driveway replacement. To help answer your questions, this blog post will explain the signs it’s time for a new driveway.

Given maintenance, your asphalt driveway should last for approximately 20 years. However, it’s important to start budgeting for asphalt driveway paving once the 20 years are up. A Minneapolis asphalt contractor will let you know when it’s time for replacement.

When to Repave vs. Resurface Your Driveway

Asphalt resurfacing can fix many of the minor issues that asphalt driveways face, such as staining, minor cracks, fading, and other aesthetic problems. However, for more serious issues, repavement will be necessary.

Alligator Cracking

Like the name suggests, alligator cracking is a series of cracks that resemble the scaly hide of an alligator. If you see alligator cracking in pavement, this is a sign that you will need to repave your driveway. Alligator cracking occurs when the foundation has deteriorated. Alligator cracking also can’t be filled in like other types of cracks because the damage is too extensive.

Sunken Pavement

Sunken pavement is a sign that the asphalt has weakened significantly. Divots and impressions in the pavement can be created when there is too heavy a load sitting on the surface. For example, most driveways were not engineered to withstand the weight of dumpsters, piles of construction supplies, or heavy non-passenger vehicles.

More damage to your pavement is caused when these heavy loads sit on the pavement for long periods of time. In fact, if you were to remove a heavy load from your pavement, you might notice a matching indentation.

Cracks and Potholes throughout Driveway

If there is a lot of damage along your driveway, this could be a sign of a deteriorating foundation. A few asphalt cracks and potholes here and there are to be expected. However, when your driveway is riddled with potholes and cracks, this could be a sign of serious foundational damage.

Standing Water

Storm water can collect in large cracks, potholes, or sections of sunken pavement. When water isn’t able to drain properly, the standing water can cause the surface of your driveway to deteriorate. Likewise, if water is allowed to seep into the foundation it can cause permanent structural damage.

It’s not uncommon for water to pool near the end of residential asphalt driveways because this is where drivers turn their wheel to back out into the street. Commercial asphalt driveways may have standing water because the lot wasn’t designed for heavy vehicles like semi-trucks to park on the surface. Sinking driveways can also be a sign of improper installation.

If you are unsure whether you need to repave your asphalt driveway, we recommend calling an experienced asphalt paving contractor. They will be able to recognize the warning signs that your driveway needs to be repaved. Make sure you hire a contractor who will properly compact the foundation and pave asphalt at the right slope for storm water drainage.

Want to Learn More?

ACT Asphalt Specialties is a Minneapolis driveway paving contractor that strives to help customers prolong the life of their asphalt surfaces. If you are interested in our asphalt driveway paving service, give our asphalt contractors a call at (651) 484-1696.

This blog post has been updated.