Does Your Driveway Need Repair? Here Are the Signs

Driveways take a lot of abuse over the years. Even if they were properly installed and well-maintained, a combination of heavy vehicles and weather damage will eventually start to take their toll. A great driveway can potentially last for decades, but you will occasionally need to call for Raleigh residential driveway repair services to keep it in good shape.

So, where is the line between minor damage that can be ignored, and issues which call for a Raleigh paving contractor? Here’s what you need to know.

Is it Time to Repair Your Raleigh Driveway?

First, one thing to keep in mind: pavement will never heal itself. Small problems will always get worse over time. Generally speaking, it’s always going to be cheaper to take care of little issues before they have a chance to turn into big problems. So, we truly don’t recommend putting repair jobs off for long. 

That said, these are the big red flags that your driveway is overdue for repairs.

1. Large cracks

If your driveway has multiple visible cracks in it, you definitely need to call for residential driveway repair services. Cracks aren’t just visually ugly; they allow water to continue getting into the pavement, and possibly even start infiltrating the underlying layers that keep your driveway stable.

In particular, winter will cause major damage to your concrete or asphalt, if there are already cracks. Water expands when it freezes, so ice forming inside the driveway material will push it apart and make the damage worse.

2. Potholes

Much like cracks, potholes provide a way for rain and snow to make their way into the driveway, causing additional damage. Worse, potholes can also be a threat to anyone using your driveway. Car suspension can be damaged by hitting a pothole too hard, and it presents a tripping hazard for pedestrians as well. 

If someone manages to hurt themselves on your driveway, chances are, you or your insurance would be responsible for paying their medical bills. That would be far more expensive than calling for repairs.

3. Pooling Water

This is more subtle. After it rains, or after you clean your driveway with a hose, does the water pool up rather than drain off? Standing water is bad for both asphalt and concrete and can cause small cracks to start forming. Worse, it suggests that the driveway itself has started to lose its original structure. 

If water is pooling, have it checked out sooner rather than later.

4. Crumbling edges

Finally, don’t ignore problems along the edge of your driveway. A crumbling edge isn’t as immediate a problem as cracks or potholes, but the damage will continue to work its way inwards. The longer it goes without repair, the more it’ll cost to fix later.

Blalock Paving has been Raliegh’s choice for residential driving repair since 1968. With winter coming soon, now is the best time to call for repairs on any existing damage. Otherwise, it will undoubtedly be worse in the spring. Contact us for a free estimate.