Clean asphalt paving of home's driveway.

How Frequently Should You Repave Your Driveway?

The driveway of a home
The general understanding is that you should repave your driveway once every 20 years.

As a homeowner, the choice to install an asphalt driveway is an excellent one, as they are long-lasting, durable, and are affordable to maintain.

But, like all products and materials, they do require ongoing maintenance to keep them from aging and deteriorating too quickly.

The general understanding is that you should repave your driveway once every 20 years. To help you figure out whether your driveway needs to be replaced, here are 6 questions to ask yourself while inspecting your driveway.

1. What Is The Age of the Driveway?

If your asphalt driveway is coming up on that 20-year mark, it may be time to repave. While some driveways can last upwards of 25-30 years, this is only if you live in a 

weather-friendly climate, fill and repair cracks when they appear, minimize heavy vehicle parking, and sealcoat when needed. 

2. Is There Alligator Cracking Present?

If you see a series of cracks that resemble that of an alligator hide; that is pavement that looks severely rutted or broken down, then it is time to repave your driveway. If you were to try and use crack filler over a large patch of alligator cracks, then this would turn the entire area into a sheet of rubber that would warm up in the summer months. Warmed crack filler is going to stick to your vehicle’s tires, and pull up the pavement underneath. 

3. Does Your Driveway Have Spots of Sunken Pavement?

If you’ve placed heavier weight on your driveway, you may have divots or impressions that have caused the pavement to sink. This sunken effect can cause the foundation of your driveway to weaken, and if water gets into the impressions, you end up with standing water which we will cover below.  

What causes indentations in the driveway? Things like dumpsters, heavy non-passenger vehicles, and construction supplies. 

4. Are There a lot of Potholes or Cracks?

If your driveway is riddled with cracks and potholes, it’s likely that your driveway’s foundation has been compromised. If these cracks and potholes are not addressed, snow and water can fill them up and cause them to expand, causing further damage. This will make your driveway deteriorate faster, and become a safety hazard to you. 

5. Is there Pavement Erosion? 

Take a look and see if you notice any crumbling. This could be along the edges of your driveway, or in and around cracks and potholes. If asphalt is crumbling, it’s a sign that you need to repave as soon as possible. 

6. Do You Have Standing Water & Drainage Issues?

If you have sunken areas of pavement, a collection of large cracks, and numerous potholes, it’s also very possible that you have drainage issues and standing water. When water is able to sit within potholes or sunken areas, it will cause surface damage to the asphalt. This, in turn, can cause the asphalt to weaken and crack, allowing water to seep into your pavement’s foundation. Water in the foundation leads to permanent structural damage. 

If you are interested in obtaining an estimate, contact us now to get started! You can give us a call today at (407) 618-9646 or fill out a contact form


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