Driveways: Should They Be Repaired, Replaced or Resurfaced?

The driveway is an important part of any American home. After all, not only is it a pathway to your garage, but the fact that it’s also located outdoors means that it can affect your home’s curb appeal and value by a significant amount. With that in mind, it’s important that your driveway is in good condition at all times. Otherwise, it can negatively impact how your home looks - as well as decrease its overall value.

Unfortunately, as time goes by, your driveway can sustain some damage due to age or fluctuating temperatures. Once this happens, you’ll need to get it fixed immediately to prevent further damage or issues. When it comes to this, you can choose between having it repaired, replaced or resurfaced. What should you pick? Here’s what NAV Construction, the pros in repairing sidewalks and driveways, have to say about this dilemma:

Repairs

If your driveway is less than 20 years old, but has been installed for a while now, the combination of time, constant freeze-thaw cycle and the thousand pounds of metal weight from your car will eventually cause damage to your driveway. Often, this is seen in the form of small cracks and divots across the surface. If the cracks are less than a quarter-inch wide and aren’t that deep, experts say you can easily repair this problem with liquid crack-fillers.

Alternatively, if you aren’t very familiar with patching up a driveway or you’re not comfortable with the idea of doing so yourself, you can always turn to concrete repair experts to get the work done.

Replacement

On the other hand, there are also some instances when a simple repair won’t be enough to get your driveway in top form once again. For example, if your driveway has cracks that are larger than a quarter inch and are more than a few inches deep, it’s best that you take this as a sign that you should have your driveway replaced as filling the cracks in with liquid fillers will only solve the problem temporarily. Apart from that, if your driveway has numerous potholes, it’s also a sign that your driveway is in need of a replacement.

Finally, if your driveway is more than 20 years old, the best course of action is to have it replaced with the aid of concrete experts because your driveway is approaching the end of its lifespan, meaning that repeated repairs will only cost you a larger amount in the long run instead of helping you save money.

Resurfacing

While there are times when a replacement for your driveway is necessary, you don’t necessarily have to default to a replacement immediately. In fact, if you hire an experienced contractor to get the job done, you can simply have the driveway resurfaced. When you get your driveway resurfaced, contractors will often remove the top layer and replace it, giving it a brand new look at a more affordable price.

However, keep in mind that this can only be done if there aren’t any issues with the foundation. If there is some foundation damage, then your contractors will have no choice but to have it replaced instead of trying to resurface it.

Materials to Consider for Your Driveway Replacement

If you need to have your driveway replaced, homeowners have a wide range of options when it comes to available materials. According to restoration experts, one such material that you can consider is gravel, which is one of the most popular materials in the country. This is because its initial costs are low, and it comes in different colors. Further, it is also quick to install around your property. However, gravel does come with its own drawbacks. For example, it requires a considerable amount of maintenance and isn’t the best choice if you live in areas that see constant snow.

Apart from gravel, another popular driveway material that homeowners opt for is concrete as it is a versatile, durable and affordable option. Plus, it requires little to no maintenance, which can save you both time and money. On the other hand, if you have the funds for it, and you want your home to have a big boost when it comes to curb appeal, you can also consider using pavers as your driveway material. Like concrete, pavers require little to no maintenance and can last for 30 to 40 years.

Alternatively, you may also use asphalt as the material for your home’s driveway. In fact, this material is a fairly popular driveway material in the Northern regions of the United States. This is because asphalt is a pliable material that can withstand the area’s freeze-thaw cycles better than concrete and pavers. Other than that, if you use black asphalt, it will retain heat, allowing snow to melt off much easier. Like your other options, however, it comes with a disadvantage as it needs to be maintained on a regular basis and will also have to be sealed every three to five years.

Other materials that you can consider for your driveway include shells for an eco-friendly option; pervious concrete if you want an environmentally friendly material that allows water to run-off through it; basalt paver tiles for durability and aesthetic appeal; and brick if you don’t mind the relatively high costs and want to use a long-lasting material while improving your home’s resale value at the same time.

Before deciding on a material, you should talk to a local expert to see what would work best for your area and your needs.

Looking for someone who can help you maintain or replace your driveway? Simply turn to NAV Construction. With years of experience in residential and commercial services, we are the leading experts to turn to for replacing driveways with stamped and decorative concrete as well as handling other driveway needs. We are dedicated to giving homeowners such as you nothing but quality work and the best service possible. Give us a call at (540) 812-2277, or fill out our contact form to get in touch with us today! We look forward to working with you.