Should You Resurface or Replace Your Old Asphalt Driveway?

by James Martin

 

 

With an average life of 25-30 years, an asphalt driveway will have you covered for a long time but once it starts to look too downtrodden, it is time to invest in your asphalt driveway again. But the question that every homeowner ponders over is whether to get your driveway replaced or resurfaced. I.e., opt for replacement or resurfacing of your asphalt driveway in Melbourne. Now naturally, with time your asphalt driveway would be filled with cracks and potholes and would begin to impact the overall look of your home negatively. What you need to do then is call in an expert, have them inspect your asphalt driveway and from them seek professional advice regarding whether to replace or resurface your driveway. Or if you know enough, you can decide on your own and then call in an asphalt driveway expert to undertake the work.

 

 

So, to help you make this choice, we have brought for you an expert answer to the question: Should You Resurface or Replace Old Asphalt Driveway. Go through them and decide for yourself whether what your home needs is a replacement or resurfacing.

What is Asphalt Resurfacing?

As the name suggests, asphalt resurfacing involves overlaying your existing asphalt driveway with a new layer of asphalt. This doesn’t involve a complete breakdown of your existing driveway and building it anew but adding a layer of asphalt above to give it a new and improved look. This is a pocket-friendly and cost-effective option that would not make you spend a lot of time or money and will charge your driveway with the kind of durability that will last for several years to come.

 

But before you begin the resurfacing work, make sure to fill any cracks or potholes beneath and inspect to know if there are any underlying draining issues with your driveway and have them fixed.

When Should You Resurface Your Asphalt Driveway?

Given below are some points that will help you figure out whether resurfacing is the best option for your asphalt driveway.

 

  1. Visibly, only 25-30% of your driveway needs repair.

 

  1. If it has not been more than 20 years since you constructed your asphalt driveway.

 

  1. While the upper layer has cracks and potholes, the surface beneath it is still structurally sound.

 

  1. The cracks on the asphalt surface are not more than a quarter-inch wide and a few inches deep.

 

If all these points hold true for your asphalt driveway, then there is no need to engage in the lengthy and costly replacement process but regain the look of your asphalt driveway with a simple resurfacing.

What is Asphalt Replacement?

The name in itself is enough to give you clarity regarding what asphalt replacement is all about. An asphalt replacement involves the tearing down of your existing driveway, it being beyond the point of repair and having it built anew. Over the years, your driveway demands several maintenance works and repairs and if you engage with them properly, you can extend the life of your driveway but even then there will come a time when the only option that you have is to get your driveway replaced. This involves levelling and compacting and the pouring of a new asphalt mix to build for your home a completely new driveway.

 

Engaging in asphalt replacing means that your driveway is beyond repair. While it might seem expensive in the short run, it is a cost-effective option that will have you covered for the next 25-30 years with proper maintenance and timely repairs.

When Should You Replace Your Asphalt Driveway?

Given below are some points that will help you figure out whether replacement is the best option for your asphalt driveway.

 

  1. Visibly, more than 25-30% of your driveway needs repair.

 

  1. If it has been more than 20 years since you constructed your asphalt driveway.

 

  1. The cracks on the asphalt surface are more than a quarter-inch wide and a few inches deep.

 

  1. Not just the upper layer is prone to cracks but also the foundation seems to be in a bad condition.

Asphalt Resurfacing V/S Asphalt Replacement: A Comparison

  1. Asphalt resurfacing is more economical both in terms of money and time as compared to replacement.

 

  1. Replacement is a more cost-effective option as once you replace your driveway, it will have you covered for the next 25 years whereas a resurfaced driveway would demand a reworking before that.

 

  1. You can engage in DIY when it comes to resurfacing but replacement is a long and tiring process that involves the use of specialised machinery and expertise, you would need to seek the help of experts.

 

  1. Resurfacing is about having a layer of asphalt cover the crack and other damages beneath and replacing is about doing away with it all from the root. So, if the damage is just on the surface and not structural, you can opt for resurfacing but if the problems run deeper, resurfacing won’t do you much good.

 

  1. Both resurfacing and replacement would extend the life of your driveway but replacement would mean a brand new driveway and therefore, more would be the lifespan.

 

With this, you would have found some clarity regarding whether you should resurface or replace your old asphalt driveway. But in case, you are still confused, call our experts at Roadseal Civil for an inspection and have them guide you in the right direction.

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