Driveway Repair

Your home driveway is more than merely where you park your car. The image of a clean and up-to-date driveway can be a source of pride that makes you feel better about where you live. It can also make your home more valuable if you ever put it on the market. Unfortunately, as any Minnesota resident understands, those harsh winters can take a toll over time. Both concrete and asphalt driveways can last up to 20 years with proper maintenance, but there are many reasons why that is much easier said than done.

If you need assistance maintaining your property, come to Asphalt Driveway Company for all your driveway installation and repair needs.

TYPES OF DRIVEWAY DAMAGE

A. Cracks and fissures

There’s no clearer sign that a driveway could use extra care than some cracks in the pavement. There are many different types of cracks with separate names (alligator, edge, linear – the list goes on!) as they can occur for a number of reasons.

B. Potholes and depressions

Potholes and similar grade depressions are common pavement problems, especially in the Midwest. They are usually a sign of deeper issues than cracks. Also known as birdbaths, grade depressions are impossible to miss after a storm since water will pool in the parts of the surface with lower elevation.

C. Rutting and uneven surfaces

Rutting or ruts are identified by indentations in the pavement along the wheel paths of cars and trucks. They appear as depressions in commonly driven areas with the same size and shape as vehicle tracks.

Driveway damage can also result in uneven or shifting pavement. The deterioration of pavement is sometimes known as raveling. A new driveway installation may be required if your driveway feels wobbly or sinks into the ground.

COMMON CAUSES OF DRIVEWAY DAMAGE

Driveways can become dull and damaged in various ways. Here are the most common causes of driveway damage:

Heavy Weight—Even the best-made driveways have their limits. If the pavement is consistently exposed to heavy vehicles or machinery, the pressure can lead to cracks and potholes.
Weather Conditions – Different environmental elements can harm a driveway’s effectiveness. Excessive rain can seep into the concrete, and radiation from the sun’s UV rays can also break down the pavement.
Poor Construction—Sometimes, a damaged driveway is caused by human error. If the previous installer used poor materials or didn’t construct the driveway properly, it will decay faster than it should.
Rock Salt – Salt may be a useful tool to avoid slipping and sliding through winter, but it can also be one of the reasons your driveway loses its shine. This is because it increases the number of thaw and freeze cycles. Every time the ice thaws, the water could seep into small cracks, and when it freezes, it will expand again and negatively impact the surface.
Age – Some wear and tear is inevitable as the driveway ages. As we mentioned earlier, driveways are built to last about 20 years. The pavement will look weathered and lose usefulness as you approach or get past that point.

DRIVEWAY REPAIR TECHNIQUES

A. Filling cracks and fissures

Materials and tools required- For small cracks, use a wire brush or sweeper to remove debris and a crack filler to patch the area.
Step-by-step process – Sweep the area before using your crack filler on the area. Let the filler dry completely before using the driveway again.

ENHANCE CURB APPEAL WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL DRIVEWAY REPAIR SOLUTIONS

Investing time and resources into your driveway can bring emotional and tangible dividends for years. While many people can deal with low-level maintenance independently, professional help is required for more intensive repairs or an outright driveway installation. Every team at Asphalt Driveway Company is ready and excited to provide high-quality driveways to any member of the Minneapolis/St. Paul community. We combine excellent materials and cutting-edge techniques to administer asphalt and concrete services such as driveway paving, garage floor repairs, and concrete step replacements to our partners. Get in touch with us today to get a free estimate.

Image Source: Chris Dotson / Shutterstock

Exceptional customer service from the start to finish. Asphalt Driveway Co. recommended a cost-effective partial driveway replacement, saving us money. They also advised waiting three years to seal coat, ensuring a seamless blend of the two sections. The seal coat was completed today, and it looks fantastic. I highly recommend this company for their great communication and customer service.

Matt Howe, Google Review

Call Today (612) 676-1717