Asphalt is a great option for a driveway because it’s cheap and durable. But what happens when your driveway becomes a wreck? Is it time to repair or replace your asphalt driveway?
If it’s just a few cracks or small potholes, you may be able to fix them yourself. By doing regular maintenance, your asphalt driveway can last for as long as 20 years. Eventually, though, you may get to a point where you’re questioning how much life remains in your driveway.
You can have your driveway treated in one of three ways: resurfacing, sealcoating, or repaving.
Resurfacing
Resurfacing is also called an overlay. In the process, we lay a new layer of asphalt over the top of the existing driveway. This is what we usually do when the cracks give way to potholes that become bigger. Or, you may see part of the surface crumbling, valleys forming, and other signs of degrading asphalt.
It’s a process to resurface your asphalt driveway. We need to fill cracks and holes and address low and high spots by filling or grinding them down to create a level surface. Then, we inspect the asphalt to ensure there is proper draining to avoid further issues after resurfacing.
Once this is all done, we place the fresh layer on top. This process makes your driveway look brand new again, putting life back into the asphalt surface.
Sealcoating
When sealcoating, we apply a thin layer of liquid over the existing asphalt driveway. It protects the driveway from damage and weather, especially during the winter.
Sealcoating protects your asphalt driveway from:
Corrosive chemicals
Oil leaks
Moisture
UV light
Repairs are still needed to provide a level and even surface for the sealcoating to adhere to. Depending on the amount of wear and tear your driveway goes through, you may have to sealcoat every year or two.
Repaving
If resurfacing and sealcoating don’t do the trick, then it’s time for repaving, or replacing your asphalt driveway. This requires the old asphalt to be torn up completely so only the dirt underneath remains. The ground is leveled and compacted to create a solid foundation, which will prevent sinking and settling of your new asphalt driveway. Now it’s time to lay the new asphalt where the old driveway was.
If your existing asphalt driveway is too far gone and needs to be replaced, regular care and maintenance will keep it looking like new for years to come. Keep a watchful eye so any cracks, valleys, or potholes can get filled right away.
Repair or Replace? Call 410 Asphalt Today!
At 410 Asphalt, we can handle the entire process, from repairing your driveway to sealcoating it during regular intervals to replacing your driveway with new blacktop.
Contact 410-Asphalt (410-277-428) in Crofton, Maryland, today to get a free estimate on all your asphalt driveway needs. If you’re not sure if your existing driveway can be saved, we’ll come out to survey the damage. We will give you our honest opinion on if it’s repairable or not.
Have a concrete driveway in need of repair or replacement? We handle those, too!
