Hello World! Welcome Friends! What condition is your driveway in? Have you been ignoring signs of wear and tear? Are you happy with the material used on your driveway? The two most popular driveway materials are asphalt and concrete. Gravel driveways don’t offer the finished look and consistent surface. Some people with an asphalt driveway in need of replacing might choose concrete for the new driveway.
Need a New Driveway?
Driveways can last up to 25 or more years before they need replacing if they are properly installed and maintained. If you have an older driveway that is showing signs of wearing out, it is time to consider which material to use for your new driveway. A concrete driveway might be more expensive but work better in your situation. You can go to frasercon.com for more information on concrete driveways.
What Material Should You Get?
Concrete and asphalt both have advantages and disadvantages as driveway materials. Concrete and asphalt are both made with a mix of sand and aggregate. The difference is that concrete uses a binder of cement to bind everything together, while asphalt uses a binder made of a viscous petroleum-based black substance.
Concrete is more expensive at $3 to 10 per square foot. But it lasts from 30 to 40 years and is a harder, stronger material. Concrete is subject to cracking in extreme cold and de-icer or salt applied for ice can damage it. It only needs to be sealed every 5 years or so, so it is low maintenance. But when repairs are needed, they can be expensive. When a concrete driveway is poured, it needs a week to cure but then it is a strong, attractive driveway for many years. Concrete can be stamped, stained, or scored for attractive looks. To perform their best, concrete driveways must be properly installed with the correct base material and preparation.
Concrete or cement driveways are a mixture of sand, stone, and cement. Cement is a mixture of water, clay, and powdered rock. Professionals pour a cold mixture onto a gravel surface that has been compacted and smoothed. Then they level the concrete surface and let it cure for up to a week before allowing cars to drive on it.
Asphalt is popular because of its low cost of $2 to 5 per square foot. With proper installation and maintenance, it will last for 20 to 25 years. Asphalt is a softer material and needs a little more maintenance such as resealing 6 months after application and then every 3 years. Professionals pour a hot mixture of asphalt over a level, gravel base, then press and smooth it with steamrollers. It can be used within 24 hours. It depends on the base being properly prepared and the application to be done correctly without cutting corners.
Most driveways made of asphalt are poured in a single, continuous slab thick enough to withstand years of traffic. This is a good driveway material for those on smaller budgets who don’t mind spending a little more time on maintenance. Asphalt can shrink and expand with temperature changes. High heat climates can cause asphalt to crumble over time. Asphalt hides most stains and it can be repaired with patches. Asphalt driveways will last longer when they are well taken care of.
If You Notice Any of These 4 Issues Call for Repairs
There are 4 main issues that need attention with asphalt or concrete driveways and they can be mitigated with prompt homeowner action.
- Cracks come in different forms including alligator cracking or fatigue cracking, block cracking, edge cracking, or crescent cracking, linear cracking or reflective cracking, and slippage cracks. Don’t ignore cracks because they will get worse. Clean out the cracks and patch them according to instructions for asphalt or concrete.
- Potholes can come in driveways of all materials and can be dangerous for both cars and people. They can damage car suspensions and lead to sprained ankles and falls for family members and guests. Potholes will fill with water and in the winter the water freezes and thaws causing the pothole to get larger.
- Depressions that fill with water and then cause potholes, cracks, or crumbling material.
- Raveling or surface break down, asphalt upheaval, or moss, grass, weeds, and lichen are all problems that may signal a time to replace the driveway. At the very least, the growing things need to be removed and the bad places patched.
Fix any problems when they are small and new so they do not get worse.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
6 Tips for Selecting the Best Seeds
5 Interior Design Tricks for the Perfect Bedroom
Yearly Plumbing Maintenance that Should be Done
9 Interior Design Tips that Will Make you Happier at Home
Create a Home Maintenance Schedule
Essentials for the Perfect Home Office
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Toodles,
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