Other than looking bad, many people think that their driveway problems are not a big deal. However, ignore them for long enough; they can get bad enough that your tires or wheels will start getting damaged. So, it is best to cut the problem down at the root and prevent it from popping up in the first place. To do this, you must know the common causes of asphalt driveway damage.
Stress cracks
One of the most common causes of asphalt driveway damage is stress cracks. Contrary to what the name might imply, they do not appear because of physical force applied to your driveway. They occur due to a perfectly natural process: the heating and cooling of asphalt. When temperatures tend to oscillate a lot, such as when you have freezing nights and hot days, the temperature difference can be too much for your driveway, it cools or heats too quickly and develops stress cracks. It is possible to mitigate this somewhat with proper asphalt maintenance, as well as trying to keep your driveway cool during the peak of summer.
Water damage
Water can be shockingly bad for your asphalt driveway. Of course, not if all that happens is a light rain that leaves it wet. The real trouble occurs when puddles start to form around your driveway. If there are water puddles right up next to it, you need to eliminate them to increase the longevity of your driveway regularly. Water tends to slowly seep under an asphalt driveway and gradually erodes its foundations. What was originally a sturdy base of earth gradually turns into either empty space or puddles of water. Of course, when you then drive over the trouble spots to reach your garage, the pressure can be too much, and sagging can happen. This kind of damage is challenging to fix, especially if it causes large cracks to form. You may need to redo your driveway entirely, which is costly and a time sink.
Plant trouble
If you live in slightly more rural areas, or if you like to keep your yard filled with various plant life, then they can become a threat to your driveway. As the saying goes, ‘nature always finds a way, and the same applies when large and sturdy plants try to grow from under your driveway. Trees are one of the most common causes of asphalt driveway damage. If they are old enough, their roots can find their way under your asphalt driveway and start to ‘lift’ it. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do in this scenario. Once things get to that point, the only solution is to dig up your driveway, cut back the invading roots, then lay it again. So, taking precautions from the start and removing any large plants near your driveway is the safest option.
Everyday wear
Unfortunately, everyday behavior provides a lot of asphalt driveway damage on its own. The minor nicks and pits can quickly grow and make your driveway ugly and uneven. Another source of damage is studded tires that are used during winter. They are invaluable for safe winter driving, but they also dig into the asphalt and damage it. It is also essential to keep a driveway clean since pebbles and other debris caught under tires also dig into the asphalt and damage it. All of this is particularly annoying considering that one of the easiest ways to boost curb appeal and add value to your home is to update your driveway, and if you want to fix it up easily, you should think about how you regularly use your driveway. Everyday care can prolong the lifespan of your driveway and save you a lot of money.
Oil leaks
Here is another reason oil leaks in your car are annoying and need to be handled quickly: they can cause damage to your asphalt driveway. You wouldn’t expect it, but oil is terrible for the long-term health of your driveway. If you clean it up quickly, the damage is negligible. But, if you neglect it, the oil gradually seeps into your asphalt driveway and damages its durability. This makes it much easier for other factors to damage your driveway further. In turn, this leads to quick driveway degradation and a need to have it redone from scratch. So, one of the most helpful asphalt maintenance tips is to quickly and thoroughly clean up any oil spills as and when they happen!
Particularly heavy vehicles
A regular commute with a family-sized car won’t harm your driveway. However, as the moving experts from orangemover.com can attest, some driveways aren’t meant to handle very heavy vehicles. Now, if you park a truck on your driveway once or twice, it is unlikely that there will be any damage. But, if you keep parking heavy vehicles in front of your home for whatever reason, then trouble starts to show. Your driveway might begin to crack under the weight or start to sag. The former happens if your driveway is exceptionally ‘thin,’ and the latter if the ground under it wasn’t compacted particularly well.
Bad installation
Finally, plain bad installation is one of the most common causes of asphalt driveway damage. Not surprising or a new concept, but the job needs to be done right if you want your driveway to last. You need to find a reliable and professional driveway repair and installation company. At any rate, if you opt to go with what seems like a cheaper option, you will often end up paying more in repairs than you would have given to a quality company. And then, you may need to do the job from scratch, which is even worse for you financially.
Final Word
You can protect your driveway well by knowing the common causes of asphalt driveway damage. So long as you always act promptly, you can prevent all or most of these problems from happening!
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