When Should I Repave My Asphalt Driveway?

ACT Asphalt Specialties Co. gets a lot of questions about driveway replacement. Whether your driveway is crumbling or you’re simply planning for the future, we recommend reaching out to our asphalt driveway paving company near Minneapolis, MN. That way, you can get a better sense of what to expect from asphalt driveway paving.

In general, an asphalt driveway should last for approximately 20 years with proper maintenance.

If you suspect you need to schedule driveway replacement, read on.

Driveway Repaving vs. Resurfacing

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.

Get a Quote for Asphalt Driveway Paving

ACT Asphalt Specialties Co. is proud to serve as your trusted asphalt driveway contractor near Minneapolis, MN. To request an estimate for our driveway paving services, please call (651) 484-1696. You may also fill out our online contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you soon to discuss the details of your project.

This blog post has been updated.