Though most driveways are simple stretches of concrete, they can be quite expensive to have installed. It takes time and precision to properly install a driveway, which is why they can cost so much.
This can be discouraging to those who are starting to find cracks and crumbling pieces of concrete on their driveway. Some things may seem small and not a big deal but could become a much bigger issue down the road. There are a few details to consider before you decide to just simply get your driveway repaired, or completely replace it.
If there are small cracks in your driveway (less than 1/4th of an inch), then you are probably okay to just get it repaired. More than likely these are just surface level cracks that won’t cause many problems after a simple repair, at least not for quite a while longer.
If there are cracks that are more than 1/4th of an inch wide or at least a few inches deep, then this could be a much larger issue. Trying to fill these bigger cracks likely won’t be much more than a very temporary fix for a long-term problem. At this point, you will be better off having your driveway completely replaced, especially if there are many large cracks.
Driveways do have a life span and after so many years they genuinely just need to be replaced. For an asphalt driveway, 20 years is probably all the life it has to give. For concrete or paver driveways, the age limit is around 25 years. The materials can only last so long being driven over with 1-2-ton vehicles and beaten down on by the elements every day. You can patch up these driveways and try to make them last longer, but eventually cracks will show up faster than you can repair them, and it will become a lost cause.
If you’re trying to sell your home, a cracked or obviously repaired driveway may be a turn-off for potential buyers. They might not want to buy a home they know they’ll have to fix something as major as a driveway immediately after they move in, so it can be beneficial to replace an old driveway before selling your home.
Resurfacing your driveway might also be an option for you. This is where the top layer of a driveway is demolished and replaced. This can be a great way to save money if the foundation isn’t also cracked weak.
If you aren’t quite sure if repairing, resurfacing, or replacing would be the best option for you, get in touch with us! College Station Covered Porch and Outdoor Kitchens is well versed in the world of driveways, and not only can we help you figure out what your driveway needs, but we would be happy to do the work for you as well1 Give us a call of fill out the form on our contact page to get in touch with us.
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