Do you have questions about how to get a driveway installed on your property? Are you looking at asphalt driveways in your area and wondering how you can get something similar for your home? Do you have questions about repairing and refinishing an asphalt driveway and walkway that is on your property? For these and many other paving questions and needs, your local construction contractor and paving professional can lend a helping hand to get you exactly what you want and need.
These pros can help you figure out all the specifics of your driveway or other paving installation needs. They will go over material options, asphalt driveway warranty restrictions, and design elements that can make your paving area look great. If you need help with general asphalt paving and maintenance or more involved upkeep and work they can also lend a helping hand to get you going in the right direction with things.
To get started with the local pros, you can check online or browse local business listings to see what paving companies are in the area. You can also ask your smart device to ‘find asphalt paving driveway near me’ to begin the process.
Have you noticed that your asphalt driveway is starting to sink a little bit and is gradually becoming lower than your garage floor? Sunken driveways are pretty normal, especially as they age, but once it reaches a certain point, you’ll want to look into driveway repair. If sunken driveways form too big a depression, water can start leaching into the ground underneath and cause the driveway to be totally destroyed. While sunken driveway repair does require some time and resources, replacing your driveway completely can be a real hassle, and one you can easily avoid by conducting the repairs necessary on your asphalt driveway. Avoid potholes and cracks that can do a number on your tires by being proactive and conducting the necessary repair as soon as you notice signs of sinking in your driveway. The sooner you catch it, the less work it’ll require to repair fully.
If My Asphalt Driveway Is Sinking, Should I Even Bother Getting Asphalt Again?
Asphalt is one of the most popular paving materials in the United States, with almost 95% of the paved roads in the United States having an asphalt surface. That’s around 18 billion tons of asphalt pavement in total! Over 90% of parking areas are made of asphalt pavement and around 350 million tons are produced every year.
Concrete is not immune to sinking, although usually it’ll usually begin to crack before it begins to sink; a sure sign that you want to repave your concrete driveway. Asphalt is a strong and flexible paving material that’s weather and water resistant, and is less prone to cracking that concrete. There’s considerably less maintenance involved with keeping up with an asphalt driveway and there’s a faster laying and installation time than with concrete.
There’s a reason that asphalt is such a popular choice for paving across the United States and if you have an asphalt driveway already, there’s no reason to totally redo your driveway unless you want a different look or you’ve been advised that an asphalt driveway isn’t right for your area.
What’s Making My Driveway Sink?
As mentioned before, sunken driveways are fairly normal as asphalt driveways age. Normal wear and tear can cause driveway to sink. However, if your driveway was laid without a proper foundation, this can cause the driveway to sink faster. A broken water or sewer line can also contribute to the sinking of your driveway, although this tends to be a much rarer cause. Cracks in your driveway that have formed may also be a culprit. Water seeps in through these cracks, undermining the foundation and causing further issues.
If you have a concrete driveway, cracks in the concrete are the first sign that you might want to take a look at your driveway and start considering some driveway repair.
How Can I Fix My Sinking Driveway?
Luckily, if you’re experiencing the problem of sunken driveways, there’s a fairly easy fix. You’ll want to call an asphalt contractor to come remove the portion that’s sinking and re-install a new portion. The contractor will first remove the part of the driveway that’s sinking, add a bottom layer, then begin to layer the rest of the material. After the correct material has been laid, they’ll compact the patch to keep your driveway level.
There are also do-it-yourself options for fixing sunken driveways, but it’s recommended that you use a contractor, as the process can be drawn out if you try and do it yourself without any experience. A professional will be able to do a quick, high-quality job and give you the comfort of knowing that cracks or other issues are less likely to arise in the next few years. You can expect to spend as much as $1,000 to repair your sunken driveway, but it’s a necessary investment.
If you have a sunken driveway, don’t despair! Simply call up an asphalt contractor and have them come inspect your driveway. They’ll be able to give you an estimate on what needs to be done and a price quote, and your driveway will be as good as new in no time!
