Yourdriveway is the first impression of your house, and how you maintain it speaksa lot about you. If your driveway looks stained, cracked, or sloppy, you needto consider driveway repair immediately.
There are three types ofdriveways, and all have their characteristics:
- Asphalt
- Concrete
- Gravel
Here we are listing down the pros and cons ofvarious types of driveways and their repairs.
1. ASPHALT DRIVEWAY:
Asphaltis also known as bitumen which is a sticky black high viscosity liquid used forroad constructions. It is a semi-solid form of petroleum, used as a glue orbinder mixed to create its concrete.
Youmay hear people call asphalt driveways blacktop because of their muted andmatte black finish. The cost comes to an average of $2.5 to $4 per sq/ft, andit can last up to 20 years. Heavy traffic, buildup, and chemical blowup cancause cracks and potholes, which can result in a sink in the driveway.
Repairingdriveways is not a DIY project because it requires heavy machinery and rollers.To repair small cracks, you need a tube of sealant available in the market todispense via a caulking gun. This will help in sealing to fill up the crack.
Thereare various heating and non-heating asphalt treatment methods that depend onthe crack repair. Professionals suggest filling them up after a few years tomaintain the strength of your road.
Thiswill prevent your road from destabilizing or sloping. The best part is, you canlayer up new asphalt over old asphalt which will add several years. Minorcracks are fixable with material available over the counter from any hardwarestore.
Ifyour driveway has potholes or has started sinking, we recommend you look outfor professional help the right way. When you Google driveway repair near me, pick up the most suitable option according to yourbudget. Most homeowners pay somewhere $1000 to $3500, whereas the averagedamage repair costs $2400.
2. CONCRETE DRIVEWAY:
Concreteis the most used type of driveway, and it is easy to install and repair. Theaverage cost to get your concrete driveway repaired ranges from $4 to $5 persquare foot.
Concreteis the most durable surface and can last up to 50 years. The durability of thedriveway depends upon the mixing factors like the water mixes and clay soil.Many products are available in stores like Walmart, containing asphalt resinwhich is applicable without the use of heat.
Ifyour driveway is forming patches or flaking off, consider resurfacing it withproducts like Quickrete. Follow the instructions on the bag and spread over thedamaged section with a squeegee.
Mostof these products are available in home depot, but if the issue is bigger thancracks, seek professional help. There are many videos and tutorials, on YouTubethat make the process look easy when it can take days.
If you have oil or greasestains, try fixing them with the help of powerful cleaners like ACT microbialcleaner. The process and instructions are easy to follow, but if your drivewayis more than 40-50 years old, consider renovation.
3. GRAVEL DRIVEWAY:
Youmight have seen gravel driveways in rural or underdeveloped areas because theypromote drainage. Gravel works great for people living in the countryside withless usage of road and only need a drainage system.
Theaverage cost is $1 to $1.5 for a square foot, and it can last for decades. Theinstallation process takes time because it requires heavy machinery to clearthe ground and layer gravel over the soil.
Fora maintained driveway, we recommend hiring an experienced excavator for asmooth finish. Weeds such as henbit, sandbur, and chickweed can grow in graveldriveways, and ruin the look if not maintained.
Chemicalslike non-selective herbicides, such as Natria Grass and Weed Control cancut the damage to the driveway. A professional will pour extra gravel to fitthe ruts and then carve off the excess.
Graveldriveways look like a slope because they have a crown-like shape which helpsthe water trickle from both ends. Formation and cuts can form with repetitivetire tracks but a professional excavator can handle pulling the gravel back up.
The process uses a largeblade that pulls the gravel back up to form the crown shape again. Rain is anoutspoken enemy of gravel because water traps in concentrated areas result incutting through other farmlands.
