When Should You Replace Your Driveway? 6 Warning Signs for Adams & York County Homeowners
As summer is nearing the end, homeowners in Adams and York County should be making sure their homes are prepped for the colder weather that is quickly approaching. Your driveway may not seem like a big issue to worry about. However, it's one of the first things people notice when looking at your home, and an unkept driveway can be unappealing to potential buyers. Besides curb appeal, it can also cause vehicle damage or injuries to people. Let's take a look at six warning signs for Adams and York County homeowners.
Sign 1: Major Cracks or Potholes
If you notice signs of cracking or potholes, this could indicate that there is underlying structural damage. You may not be able to see from the surface. However, the materials underneath could be eroding, shifting, or weakening. Homeowners in Adams and York County should be especially cautious during the colder winter months. If water gets into cracks, it can freeze, causing it to expand, push the material apart, and make the cracks bigger. At first, small cracks might not seem like an issue, but if left ignored, they could grow and create a problem. Small cracks could turn into potholes. Choosing to repair or replace your driveway early on can save you money in the long run.
Sign 2: Drainage Issues or Standing Water
Adams and York County homeowners with driveways that may have low spots, uneven areas, or poor slope, should look out for standing water. Driveways like those can often cause rainwater or melting snow to collect on the surface. Standing water can slowly damage the asphalt or concrete, seeping into the layer under your driveway. This can cause your driveway to sink, crack, or develop potholes. Replacing your driveway can help fix the slope, which will prevent further standing water.
Sign 3: Crumbling Edges
When the sides of your driveway start to crumble off, it could lead to a safety hazard. There are a few reasons why the edges break apart. Snow plowing, salting, and weather exposure are the main reasons this happens. Since the edges are more exposed than the middle of the driveway, they can erode more quickly. Crumbling edges weaken the structure of your driveway, leading to safety hazards if they collapse while driving over them. Hiring John Parichuk Paving for a full driveway replacement can help restore those edges and get you ready for the cold weather.
Sign 4: Faded Color or Texture
If you've had your driveway for a long time, you may notice it's faded, a little cracked, and dull. This happens due to sunlight beating down all day on your driveway, causing it to lose its color or weaken. Oil stains from cars and surface deterioration from regular use, snow removal, and weather exposure also come into play. Faded and textured driveways can be very unappealing. Investing in a driveway replacement can provide a cleaner surface and enhance curb appeal.
Sign 5: Age Over 15 Years
If you're deciding on whether you should spend on repairs or a full driveway replacement, you should consider how old your driveway is. The average lifespan is about 15-20 years, depending on the materials and how well-maintained it's been. Over the years, many factors come into play that can damage the structure and surface of your driveway. If your driveway is older, you probably have layers of repairs that could be hiding underlying issues. A full replacement can provide you with another good 15-20 years.
Sign 6: Repeated Repairs aren't working
Have you been finding yourself spending tons of money on repairs? If you're constantly the same issues that keep coming back, then there's a deeper problem going on. This could indicate that the layer under the driveway may be unstable or eroded. Repairs can add up, leading to hundreds spent on fixing the same issue. If you don't address the underlying problem, you will continue wasting dollars on quick fixes without addressing the root cause. A full replacement will rebuild the structure and surface of your driveway, saving you tons of money in repairs.
Call John Parichuk Paving Today
If you're a homeowner in Adams or York County and need of a full driveway replacement, give us a call today!