You probably don’t spend a lot of time thinking about your driveway, until you notice a problem. If you’re seeing cracks, potholes and other wear and tear, you may be wondering where it came from and how to fix it.
Driveway damage can come from many sources, including motor oil or gas, de-icing materials, freezing temperatures and the weight of your vehicle. Keep reading to learn how to tell the difference between minor issues that require repairs and signs you may need a whole new driveway.
How Long Does a Driveway Last?
The lifespan of a driveway depends on factors such as climate and maintenance, but is primarily determined by material.
How long does a concrete driveway last?
If properly installed and cared for, a concrete driveway should last about 30 years. Concrete driveways in colder climate areas may break down sooner but should still last approximately 20 years.
How long does an asphalt driveway last?
An asphalt driveway will last between 15 and 20 years. You can extend the life of an asphalt driveway with regular maintenance.
6 Signs Your Driveway Needs Repairs
Wondering how to tell if you need driveway repairs? When you begin noticing changes in your driveway, you may need to make some plans for replacing, patching or resurfacing.
Look into repairs if your driveway has:
- Small cracks that don’t connect: Cracks that are less than ¼ of an inch wide should be repaired before they spread. If water freezes and expands in a crack, the crack will become deeper and wider and is more likely to become an issue.
- A pothole: One pothole can be easily fixed and, if addressed quickly enough, repairs can prevent future damage.
- Sunken areas: If the driveway directly outside your garage is sinking lower than your garage floor, you can patch it and make it level again.
- Faded color: If your driveway is a different color than it used to be, don’t worry. While this is a sign of age, it is still fine to use. If your driveway is concrete, you can fix the color by patching any cracks and adding a sealant.
- Crumbling edges: Crumbling at the side of your asphalt driveway probably means the edges were too thin to begin with. Consider adding additional edging to prevent further damage.
- Signs of wear but it’s less than 10 years old: Your driveway should last at least 15 years so if it’s less than 10 years old and is cracking or sagging, make repairs to extend its life.
Repairing your driveway is the right choice if the damage is minimal enough, covers less than 50% of the surface and if the repairs allow you to maintain the integrity of the driveway as a whole.
If the top of your driveway needs extensive repairs but the foundation is still intact, or if you are concerned about the look of patched concrete or filled in cracks, consider resurfacing it instead. Resurfacing includes replacing the top layer of concrete or asphalt instead of tearing it up completely or patching small portions. This will give your driveway a new look but will cost less than a complete replacement.
Resurfacing is more common with asphalt driveways but can be completed on a concrete driveway as well.
How much does it cost to resurface a driveway?
The cost to resurface, or repave, a driveway is somewhere between $1 and $3 a square foot. This is a more affordable option than replacing but will cost more more than patching or repairing individual cracks and potholes since the cost will apply to the full length and width of your driveway.
5 Signs Your Driveway Needs Replaced
Replacing a driveway is a big decision and can be a big investment. You should look into a full driveway replacement if your driveway has:
- Multiple potholes: A large number of potholes that are deep enough to affect the foundation are a good sign your driveway needs replaced. They will gather water and lead to more damage and will be costly to repair individually.
- Alligator or spiderweb cracks: Cracks that are interconnected, look like scales and cover the majority of your driveway are a sign that it’s time to replace your driveway.
- Aged more than 20 years: A concrete driveway that is 20 years old and showing signs of wear should be replaced completely.
- Drainage issues: If your driveway or yard around it isn’t draining properly and is directing water toward your home’s foundation, you need to address this issue quickly to prevent other property damage.
- Multiple areas that require independent repairs: If you have multiple issues that require repairs, that might be when it’s time to replace your driveway instead.
How much does it cost to replace a driveway?
Replacing a driveway is an investment. When replacing a concrete driveway, expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot to have it installed. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to install a concrete driveway is $4,192. An asphalt driveway is less expensive at $3 to $4 per square foot but also has a shorter life and is less durable.
Should I replace my driveway before selling?
If you are planning to sell your home in the near future, replace your driveway instead of making repairs. While you may not get a dollar-for-dollar return-on-investment, a new driveway will add more appeal to your home than a patched or cracked driveway, which could quickly scare off potential buyers.
Need to Replace Your Driveway?
What is your driveway telling you? Are the signs pointing to a driveway replacement? If you’re concerned about the cost of the project, save by learning how to tear up concrete or asphalt and demolish it yourself. Before you start tearing up concrete or asphalt, call a professional to make sure the weather is right for laying down your new driveway.
It was helpful when you explained that drainage issues need to be addressed quickly because water directed towards our home’s foundation can cause a lot of property damage. When it was raining last week, I noticed the driveway was struggling to drain the water into the street, and a lot of it was pooling or running towards our home. I’m grateful that you shared this article because now I’m motivated to find a driveway paving service and have the problem fixed ASAP!
I want to get my concrete driveway replaced this year. It is nice to know that I might want to look into getting a sealant put on my driveway. It seems like a good thing to get a professional to help with choosing the right type of sealant to put on my concrete.
If a simple repair does not do the trick, your driveway may need to be resurfaced. Resurfacing is a process in which additional layers of asphalt are added on top of your driveway. The process gives your driveway a brand new appearance and top layer. Resurfacing your driveway is dependent upon the repair process. If there are cracks and holes in your driveway, they will appear upon resurfacing if the asphalt is not properly repaired. Resurfacing is a great option for individuals with minor cracks to their driveway, provided the base layer of asphalt is still structurally sound. Resurfacing can give your driveway a brand new look, without the cost of a complete replacement.
I wasn’t aware that having multiple potholes could be a sign you need to have your driveway replaced since it could lead to more damage. My husband and I have been noticing that his parent’s driveway has a large number of potholes and we hate driving there because of it. I think we should look into finding a professional with experience in paving that can help them.
It’s great to know that asphalt paving can last 15-20 years or more with the right maintenance. I guess I will choose this material for our driveway so that we won’t worry about replacing them for a long time. However, I would love to have a contractor to get them checked and maintained from time to time to avoid the expenses of replacing them earlier in the future.
Thanks for pointing out that driveway damage can come from many sources, like freezing temperatures and the weight of our vehicle. This is helpful because my husband and I want to improve our property before the holiday season. With this, we will look for paving contractors on Monday who can provide pothole repair services at an affordable rate.