Asphalt is an excellent paving material that is used for driveways and parking lots because of its durability. Asphalt paving, when well-maintained, can serve you for several years. As such, homeowners ought to maintain their asphalt paving in Salt Lake City to keep it in excellent condition even if they don’t have plans to sell their homes. Sealcoating is essential in preserving your asphalt driveway, but it is sometimes not enough to prolong the life of your paving.
The lifespan of an asphalt paving is often reduced by several aspects such as UV rays, harsh freeze-thaw cycles, and heavy traffic. Consequently, homeowners are sometimes forced to replace their asphalt driveways sooner than they expect. Fortunately, the path gives signs that it needs replacement. It is worth to repair the entrance, but sometimes replacing it is the best solution.
Standing water
One of the telltale signs of asphalt paving that requires replacement is water pools. They are an indication of a drainage concern. Depressions, pits, and ruts form in the driveway over time, which creates spaces that encourage water to gather. Drainage problems occur due to structural damage. If the asphalt has cracks, the standing water eventually gets under the top layer, which expands and cracks during the cold months. Hence, it is wise to hire an expert to replace the asphalt as soon as you notice a pool of standing water.
Alligator cracks
If your asphalt driveway looks like the hide of an alligator, then it is time to replace it. Cracks in your asphalt parking or driveway are a clear indication of the need for replacement. You should not ignore cracks that appear like a series of scales, regardless of whether they are widespread in the parking or are present in one area.
Potholes
A crack can sometimes go unnoticed. But potholes can be problematic for your vehicle. They can cause accidents. You are likely to harm your suspension system and damage your car tires when you frequently drive through potholes on your driveway or parking. Minor potholes can easily be repaired. But a filled pothole will not solve the problem entirely because the ground below expands and contracts. Ultimately, you will have to replace an asphalt pavement that has potholes.
Rough appearance
Home driveways are often susceptible to damage by UV rays. UV rays penetrate through the driveway surface, causing oxidation of the surface. The oxidation is usually the cause of faded asphalt pavements. You may want to invest in asphalt replacement if the pavement starts to appear weathered. The problem may seem cosmetic, but it can also weaken the driveway due to UV exposure. You can apply asphalt sealant, but it doesn’t solve the problem because UV rays affect the durability of the driveway.
Old driveway
Asphalt driveways do not last forever even if you maintain them often. Paths begin to indicate signs of deterioration by the time they are two decades old. Therefore, it is wise to replace the driveway if it has already celebrated its 20th birthday.
You shouldn’t wait for your asphalt driveway to fall apart. You need to hire a professional to repave it as soon as you notice these signs. You can also call a professional if you need advice on what to do with the asphalt surface.
