Driveway Repair – What You Need to Know

A well-maintained driveway adds to your home’s curb appeal and can increase its value. However, your driveway will also experience wear and tear from the elements and traffic. The sooner you address the damage, the better. Repairing your driveway now can save you money in the long run and keep it structurally sound. Check out this website at https://www.topcoattechnicians.com/ for more information.

Concrete repair costs vary widely depending on the size and extent of the damage. If you have only small cracks or divots less than 1/4 inch deep, you may be able to fill them in using cold-patch asphalt or concrete patching material. These products are sold at most hardware stores and come in easy-to-use kits that include everything you need to complete the job. However, if your driveway has large cracks or holes, spalling (horizontal peeling of the surface), discoloration or other serious flaws, you may be better off with resurfacing or even replacing the entire driveway.

Generally speaking, the cost of driveway repairs rises as the area covered by the damage increases. Cracks can develop from poor subgrade prep or even the original installation of the driveway, as well as freeze-thaw cycles and deicing chemicals that eat away at the surface. Other common problems include improper concrete mix, shrinkage during curing and surface damage from trees, roots, frost or erosion.

A short, rectangular driveway on a flat surface will be the least expensive type to repair. If it’s long, wide, sloped or curvy, the cost will increase due to additional materials and labor. A driveway that’s closely surrounded by plants, trees or shrubs also adds to the repair bill because the plant growth will likely need to be moved and/or replaced as part of the project.

Repairs to brick driveways typically require removing and replacing individual bricks as well as releveling the sand layer beneath. If the damage is caused by tree limbs, roots or erosion, you’ll need to hire landscapers to remove and replace those elements as well.

Whether your driveway is made of asphalt or concrete, the surface needs to be sealed at regular intervals to protect the materials and keep them looking good. Driveway sealer can cost as little as $0.20 to $0.70 per square foot for asphalt and up to $2.50 per square foot for concrete. However, if you skip this step or delay it for too long, the sealant will likely need to be replaced as it wears down.

Curb Appeal

The term “curb appeal” describes the initial impression a property makes on passersby and visitors. It refers to the attractiveness of a home’s exterior, from its paint job and landscaping to the driveway and mailbox.

A well-kept lawn and fresh mulch can add a great deal to a home’s curb appeal. Likewise, a paved walkway and nicely manicured shrubbery can also increase a home’s perceived value. Real estate agents often advise clients to prioritize a property’s exterior in terms of its maintenance and upkeep, because this is what potential buyers will see first.

In fact, studies have shown that a well-maintained house with high curb appeal can sell for up to 7% more than a similar property without such appeal. That may not seem like a big difference, but for an average home, that amounts to a difference of $35,000!

Adding to a property’s curb appeal can also make it easier to sell. This is because a home with good curb appeal will give the impression that it has been well-maintained and cared for over time, which can make it more appealing to buyers.

Buyers will also assume that the interior of a home with good curb appeal will be in comparable condition to the exterior. Therefore, they will be more willing to check out the property and make an offer.

Curb appeal can be as simple or complex as a homeowner wishes. For example, adding an eye-catching color to a house’s siding or a new welcome mat at the front door is a simple way to improve a property’s curb appeal. In contrast, adding a wrought iron fence or a water feature to a backyard can be more expensive but have a greater impact on the home’s overall appearance.

For most homeowners, the greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that their hard work has paid off. When friends and neighbors compliment them on their property, they feel a sense of pride that can help them cope with the inevitable ups and downs of owning a home. This sense of pride can also encourage a homeowner to continue improving their home’s curb appeal, which can lead to a faster and more profitable sale.

Drainage

When a driveway is sloped improperly, rainwater can move towards lower areas where it pools during heavy rainfall. This creates unsightly low spots in the asphalt, kills grass and attracts mosquitoes. If left unattended, these spots can grow and become sunken sections of the driveway that require professional repair to fill in. This issue may also cause damage to the foundation of your home, depending on how far down the driveway extends into your yard.

A homeowner should always consider a drainage issue when assessing whether their driveway is in need of repair. In addition to reducing the beauty of the property, water that is absorbed into concrete or paved surfaces can also weaken them over time. This can lead to a variety of issues, including cracking and crumbling. The best way to fix these problems is by adding drains or resurfacing the entire driveway.

In cases where water is washing out soil and sand underneath the driveway, this can be difficult to repair without replacing the entire structure. For this reason, homeowners should try to catch drainage issues early on and have them repaired by a professional contractor.

Small cracks in the surface of a driveway can be filled with a concrete patching compound. This should be done when temperatures are above freezing so the cracks can set properly. It is important to clean the cracks before applying this compound.

This will help ensure that the patching material adheres to the existing surface and is not pushed up by any dirt or debris. If the cracks are filled with a product that is not intended for use on concrete, it may become dislodged or cracked again in the future.

If water pools on the driveway or becomes stained from oil spills, this is a sign that there is an issue with the drainage design of the driveway. A professional contractor can install a drain or French drain to prevent this from happening again in the future. These drains are long and narrow, similar to a trench drain, but they have a cover that keeps debris from clogging them.

Maintenance

If a driveway is only damaged with small cracks (less than half an inch wide) and divots, it may be worthwhile to repair them rather than replacing the entire driveway. If the surface is in serious disrepair, however, the wisest choice is to replace it.

The most obvious telltale sign that a driveway needs attention is water pooling in the creases or sunken sections of the concrete. This issue can be caused by a number of issues, including poor drainage and ground movement. A qualified concrete contractor should be able to assess the problem and remedy it before it gets out of hand.

Another maintenance issue that can impact a driveway is the appearance of oil or grease stains. These can be difficult to remove and will require the use of a strong chemical cleaner such as ACT concrete cleaner (available from Amazon). This product should be sprinkled over the stain, brushed in with a utility brush and then sprayed with water according to manufacturer instructions. After the stain is removed, the concrete should be hosed off and any remaining spots should be washed down with hot water.

Large cracks and holes in the surface of the driveway, spalling (horizontal flaking or chipping of the concrete surface) and discoloration can be addressed by resurfacing or a concrete overlay. The advantage of these options is that the existing driveway can remain in place, which is more cost effective than removing and installing a new driveway.

A resurfaced or repaired driveway should also be sealed once per year to prevent further damage and maintain its appearance. The sealant will help protect the concrete from oil spills and weathering, as well as keep it looking new and fresh. A professional should be able to recommend the best product for your specific situation.

Repairing a driveway can be an extensive project, depending on its size and condition. Homeowners are encouraged to discuss any issues with their contractors, as they may need to add services such as grading and drainage or a complete replacement. It is also helpful to pair up with neighbors who will be getting similar repairs done at the same time, which can help bring down the overall cost.