Have you been observing your driveway asphalt and noticed that it is starting to look a bit rough? How can you fix this issue? Will you be able to easily repair it to restore how it once looked before? Is it necessary to resurface your drive way or do you need to just strip the whole thing and redo it from scratch?
With all of these questions in mind, it might be a good idea for you to just go ahead and contact a contractor to answer some of these questions that you may have about paving your driveway. Often times you are even able to get a free estimate of how much it will cost for a contractor to come out and repave your driveway. As you read along you will have a better idea of the steps needed in finding and hiring a contractor to repave or resurface your asphalt driveway.
Just how far will maintenance get you?
You can’t expect for that smooth, beautiful black asphalt to last forever. Do what you can to keep up with the maintenance of your asphalt driveway, but Mother Nature will most certainly take its course on the asphalt. Eventually it will become worn and you will begin to see cracks in the asphalt where it was once smooth. There are many substances that can find its way on your driveway, helping with the aging process. Oil, salt, and heat, are just to name a few of the things that affect the way your asphalt driveway holds up.
If 25 percent or more of your asphalt is in need of repair, then it would be the best idea to have your asphalt resurfaced. This is a very cost effective option to choose.
Cracks that develop over time
Seeing how asphalt is on the roads, then you are most likely prepared for your asphalt to crack over time. You can have the tiniest cracks in your asphalt, or you can have some very large cracks in your asphalt. It really just depends on where you live, and the climate/weather situation. For those that live in colder climates, the process of ice freezing and thawing can take a toll on your asphalt. As water penetrates through cracks they grow larger over time. It’s better to fix these cracks sooner than later because the larger they grow, the harder they will be to fix later.
Repair or complete replacement
Depending on the deteriorating state of your driveway, you will need to determine if a simple repair or replacement of your entire driveway is necessary. If you can resurface your asphalt driveway then you will probably come out paying less money versus if you had to replace the entire driveway and start from scratch. It’s really going to depend on the severity of the cracks. Large cracks all over will require that you replace the entire driveway.
If you find that you have had to resurface your driveway multiple times from minor cracks within a shorter period of time, then your issue could lie in the foundation. If your foundation is the issue then you will need to consider buying an entirely new driveway. Depressions and mounts in the asphalt will also need to be replaced.
What can cause premature destruction?
Even if your asphalt is installed properly onto your driveway, you can still run into issues. A properly installed driveway can typically last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. However, severe weather conditions can knock some of those years right off causing premature wearing of your driveway.
Beware of scams from Contractors
You should be aware of the scams out there where contractors try to offer homeowners a great deal to replace or repair their asphalt driveways at a discounted price. They will often tell their potential buyers that they have leftover asphalt in their possession. They will try to make an immediate deal with you right then and there. If this happens, you need to call the police and report them.
Legit contractors are very specific in their calculations of how much asphalt they will need. A small amount of leftover asphalt is never enough or the correct amount to use on someone’s driveway.
Hiring a certified contractor
When you get ready to hire a contractor for paving your driveway, you will need to make sure that they are licensed and insured. Make sure you read online reviews about the company before you hire them. The reviews will tell you a lot about the service that they have offered others. Steer clear from new companies or companies that have little to no reviews available to read. Makes sure the contractor that you plan to hire is at least a part of an association like National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) or National Pavement Contractors Association (NPCA).