A paved driveway is one way of increasing your home’s value and curb appeal. Paving a driveway is an investment in time and money, but the benefits will pay off exponentially by increasing the resale price of your home. Most people do not make their own asphalt driveways; it is far more cost-effective to hire a professional contractor to do the job. If you do not feel confident enough in your paving abilities or simply cannot afford a professional, it is good to consult with one before starting your project.
A well-paved driveway can add hundreds of dollars to your home’s value right off the bat, even if there are problems with the rest of the property. An asphalt driveway will stay hardy through many years of wear-and-tear, but it is still important to create a good foundation before you begin. Always consult with your local municipality about legal materials for use within your town or city limits when paving an asphalt driveway on your property.
Overview of Repaving a Driveway: Steps and Costs
1. Make Repairs Annually
A freshly paved driveway is strong, but it still needs some tender loving care. Make sure to clean the driveway of debris at least once a week so that loose rocks do not damage the asphalt. Be sure to also apply new sealant every few years after heavy rains to keep water from penetrating and wearing away at your asphalt’s foundation. This will help your driveway last much longer than if you were to neglect it completely after paving it for the first time.
2. Remove Any Weeds or Grass Growing Around Paving Edges
Always remove weeds and grass growing around your paved area in order to avoid root intrusion into the asphalt itself or into cracks between tiles. These roots can cause serious problems down the line when they manage to grow deep enough into the asphalt’s foundation.
3. Apply New Sealing Compound Every Few Years to Extend Paving Life
Always be sure to apply a new sealant after heavy rains and clean-up projects like this one in order to keep water from penetrating your paving material and causing damage beneath it. This is crucial for ensuring that your driveway stays intact well into the future; without proper sealing, cracks will begin to show up, and you will need to pay much more money in repairs as time goes on. Even if you do not plan on selling soon, an investment will save you money later when fewer repairs are needed down the line.
Don’t Hesitate to Hire a Professional
A professional contractor like those at Driveway Replacement Houston is the best way to ensure that your paving job goes smoothly without any snags. The professionals will be able to work within local building codes, and they can help you understand what materials and colors go well together. Professional contractors also offer years of experience and reliable customer service that will stand behind their work no matter what happens during or after the paving process. Do not let a DIY project discourage you from getting the help you need; even if it is just for consultation purposes, hiring an expert always has its benefits.
Steps to DIY Repair Driveway Cracks
1. Fill Cracks with Sealing Compound
Once all residual material has been removed from within the crack, simply fill it up with some cold sealant compound. Make sure that you use enough so that it oozes out slightly without being too obvious about what you are doing. If necessary, pack the extra compound down with either your hand or an old tool like a toothbrush to ensure that it becomes as compact as possible.
2. Apply Spray-On Bonding Primer and Waterproof Sealant
Before you lay down any new paving material, it is important first to spray the bonding primer on your crumbled crack and allow it to fully dry before applying sealant of the same color over top of it. If you do not, then any product laying on top of the crack will pose a great risk of coming loose after some time has passed. Also, be sure to use water-resistant sealant in order to keep moisture from penetrating through too quickly after heavy rains or snowfall melts.
3. Use Penetrating Fiberglass Epoxy for Cracks That Are Very Deep or Wider Than 1/4 Inches
Depending on the condition of your asphalt, it could be time to try something else. Penetrating fiberglass epoxy will help fill in any cracks that are too deep or wider than 1/4 inches all the way down to the base so that they can stop spreading out further. This is not an ideal solution for anybody who plans on selling their home soon, but it will keep your driveway functional in the meantime.
If these steps seem like too much work to tackle solo, you should take advantage of the professional paving services available in your area. Whether you need expert repairs or a complete repaving job, hiring dedicated professionals to handle everything for you is always your best bet when looking to enjoy long-term results with no hassle.
Helpful Tips for Repaving or Repairing Driveway Damage
1. Never Wait to Fix Damaged Strip
If your driveway has been damaged in any way, you must repair the issue as soon as possible to avoid further problems in the future. Please do not wait until wintertime or a large storm comes through to fix minor issues because they will only get worse and become more challenging to deal with before having them fixed completely.
2. Consider Hiring a Professional Team for Repaving Jobs
Repave jobs should be left in the hands of professional contractors because you can never truly know if you are following building codes or materials requirements without consulting professionals first. Even simple cracks that seem like no big deal could end up costing you thousands of dollars down the line thanks to water damage and other potential problems that could arise as a result of not taking care of them quickly.
3. Give the Right Repair Materials Time to Bond Before Driving Over Them Again
If you are filling in cracks, be sure to give the sealant or epoxy time to dry before getting into your car again so that it does not ride over the top of them and cause further damage elsewhere. Also, wait until the compound dries completely unless you want any residual moisture working its way down through cracks on rainy days when you drive across them too soon after applying fresh new products along the entire driveway area.