Signs You Shouldn't Ignore When it Comes To Your Driveway

Signs You Shouldn't Ignore When it Comes To Your Driveway


Your driveway is one of the most important aspects of your home. It makes or breaks a first impression. Even if you have a beautiful home, a dull, unkept, and damaged driveway can instantly impact any good first impression that is made. Driveways usually last for decades, but because it’s exposed to many elements such as extreme weather conditions, erosions, oil leaks, debris, and the weight of vehicles, it erodes and degrades its surface material quite easily.

This is why it is important to identify the signs of a compromised driveway before it poses a liability to your property. Fortunately, there are plenty of signs indicating the need for repair or replacement.

In this article, we look at five key signs that it is time to call in a driveway expert to replace your driveway.
  1. Drainage systems
A well-designed driveway is equipped with at least one type of drainage system. However, if you’re noticing rainwater pooling in multiple areas or running down the middle of your driveway, you’re likely to have drainage issues. This pooling and puddling in your driveway can compromise the integrity of your driveway’s surface and also turn your driveway into a potential safety hazard.

Replacing your driveway isn’t the only option, although it would be a wise one, there are other options available that can curb this problem. Depending on the state of your driveway, you could install strip drains, add curbing, and even replace the drainage piping. However, if the damage is already done, there is no choice but to completely replace your driveway.
  1. Check for any cracks on the surface
It’s common to find cracks in your concrete and asphalt driveways. However, if acted upon quickly enough, it can slow down or stop the deterioration, as cracks less than a quarter-inch wide can be easily repaired. It is however important to bear in mind that any reparation to fix this issue might possibly look darker compared to the surrounding pavement, making the fixes appear quite obvious. This will not only impact your driveway’s overall aesthetic, but also the curb appeal of your home. If you find too many cracks in your driveway, try considering a full replacement.

While smaller cracks may be an easy fix, cracks that are deeper, larger and have wider openings are definitely a clearer indication that your driveway needs a replacement. Cracks like these are more dangerous because of the amount of harmful substances such as oil, salt, and gas that can penetrate it thus leading to a severely compromised driveway. These openings also tend to get worse during winter as the freezing and thawing water expands the damaged surface. In such cases, entirely replacing your driveway is recommended.
  1. Age of your driveway
The average lifespan of most asphalt driveways are roughly around 15 to 20 years. Concrete driveways on the other hand, can last longer, with its lifespan being about 30 years. It is however important to take into consideration a number of different factors that can affect that lifespan, such as weather conditions, UV rays, damaging chemicals, and driveway usage. As such, the life expectancy of your driveway could vary somewhat significantly. If your driveway is past its prime, you may even be experiencing a combination of all of the issues mentioned above. At this point, repairs might be less effective. Instead, replace your driveway with newer materials that are made to withstand these issues better.
  1. Faded driveways
Weathered appearances of driveways are an extremely common occurrence, especially when taking into account the harsh Aussie climate. But if your driveway is beginning to look a little worse for wear, and more than just faded, it might be time to consider a replacement.

Factors such as UV rays, oxidation, and constant sun exposure can make your coloured concrete driveway appear patchy, unappealing, and past its prime. While there is nothing wrong with a faded driveway, most weathered driveways prove to be weak and become more susceptible to damages. Concrete sealant is a temporary solution to improve the way your driveway looks. But if its durability is affected, a replacement may be necessary.
  1. Deep Potholes
Potholes are one of the more glaring and obvious signs that your driveway needs either a complete replacement or at least repairing. Potholes form when cracks are left unattended for too long. The expansion and contraction of water after it has entered beneath the pavement can cause the driveway material above it to weaken, crumble away, and form a hole. Even after repairing minor potholes, there are chances of them reappearing, bigger and deeper, if the expansion and contraction problem is not dealt with. This is why it is highly advisable to replace the entire driveway rather than spend money over and over again on fixing the same problem.

Looking for reliable and experienced driveways experts in Melbourne? Then look no further than Simply Driveways. With 21 years of experience, we are the go-to specialists when it comes to concrete driveways, including exposed aggregate concrete driveways. Our friendly team is more than ready to assist you with any questions regarding your driveways, so get in touch with us today!