We all know the feeling of going over the same annoying bump or crack in our driveway every morning. Whether you’re a homeowner with pride in their space or a business owner who deals with a lot of traffic in and out of your premises, a faulty driveway is a frustrating thing to deal with.
Especially because it can be tough to tell whether it’s time for a replacement, or if your driveway just needs a quick fix. Cosmetic repairs can look incurable, while small issues can actually be a sign of a deeper need.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help. At Asphalt and Civil, asphalt driveway repair is our way of life. In this blog post, we’re covering everything you need to know to make the right call between repairing and replacing your driveway.
Asphalt Driveway Repair vs. Replacement
From surface cracks to drainage issues, there are any number of small fixes your driveway might need over the years. Driveways are built with asphalt or concrete on a bed of soil and gravel. As the earth shifts and your driveway is repeatedly used, wear and tear will take its natural toll on the asphalt.
Leaving these issues for too long can result in the driveway’s condition going beyond what’s reparable, instead requiring a whole new driveway. This is why it’s important to jump in with repairs as soon as possible. It will save you a lot of money, time, and stress in the long run.
A few of the most important factors to consider in your decision are:
- How old is your driveway. Older driveways have endured more traffic and are more vulnerable to the natural shifting and erosion of the soil beneath. If your driveway is very old and showing signs of significant wear, it might be worth jumping straight into a replacement.
- The extent of the damage. Small repairs would almost never need a full replacement and can be taken care of in a couple of hours. Extensive repairs and cracking can be a sign that you need a new driveway.
- How much work you want to put in. Old driveways generally need small repairs more often and will continue to need them until they are replaced. If you are reluctant to deal with long-term maintenance needs, replacing your driveway could be the best move. However, this can also strain your budget unnecessarily if you don’t need to replace it yet.
Repair vs. Replacement: The Benefits Breakdown
The Benefits of Driveway Repairs
For the most part, driveway repairs are more affordable than full replacements. They’re faster, allowing you to get more use out of your driveway almost immediately, whereas replacements can take a couple of days or more to complete.
Simple repairs can also extend the life of a sturdy driveway, which is good for the environment and your home! These benefits only apply when your driveway is still in a reparable state. If things have progressed too far, then a replacement will be necessary to bring your driveway back to its former glory.
The Benefits of Driveway Replacement
Replacing your driveway can be a wonderful way to get a fresh new start. It sharpens the look of your home or business, massively improving curb appeal with its look and functionality. That translates to more property value if you’re looking to sell in future!
That said, investing in a full driveway replacement when it isn’t needed is costly. If you’re only looking to restore your driveway to be usable, then simple repairs are the way to go (if the damage isn’t extensive).
When It’s Time to Get a Replacement
All good things must come to an end, and that, unfortunately, includes your driveway. There are some signs that your driveway has given up the ghost and needs a replacement in the near future.
- There’s significant structural damage that indicates your driveway’s foundation is damaged.
- Extensive cracking from erosion, wear and tear, or surface damage.
- Repeated repairs are becoming too expensive for you to keep up with.
- Poor drainage that can’t be fixed with any repairs, leaving water pooling and creating further issues.
Repairing driveways damaged to this extent will only promise a return of the issues in future, so it’s best to tackle them quicky and decisively.
At the end of the day, if a minor repair is all you need, then it’s best to just call it a quick fix. However, if your driveway is in need of many repairs, with more to come in the future, it might be time to book in a replacement.
No matter which one you need, the team at Asphalt and Civil are here to help. When in doubt about whether you need a repair or a replacement, get in touch with our team for an honest breakdown and a free quote.
For asphalt and concrete driveway construction, we’re the team to call.
As a locally-owned asphalt driveway repair company, we’re the perfect choice for everything from minor cracks to major replacements. We work with both residential and commercial clients, so get in touch to book your job today.
The trusted name for all Concrete & Asphalt Paving in Auckland