How To Tell If Your Asphalt Driveway Or Parking Lot Needs To Be Replaced

If your asphalt driveway or parking lot is showing signs of wear and tear, you may be wondering if it needs to be replaced. Asphalt surfaces can deteriorate over time, and certain signs indicate that the damage may be too severe for simple repairs. In this blog, we will discuss how to tell if your driveway or parking lot needs to be replaced, and what signs to look for.

Signs Your Asphalt Driveway or Parking Lot Needs to Be Replaced

Cracks that are deep, or are wider than a quarter inch, can allow water to seep in, which can cause damage both under your asphalt as well as on the surface. If left untreated, large cracks can eventually turn into potholes and create safety hazards. A short-term solution for small and surface-level cracks may be resurfacing, and replacement of some sections containing deeper or wider cracks may an option. However, if there are many cracks, especially if the asphalt is old or suffers from other problems, then replacement of the entire driveway or parking lot is the best solution.

Potholes are caused by water seeping into small cracks in the asphalt and expanding as it freezes and thaws. Potholes can be a tripping hazard and can damage vehicles. It's important to repair potholes as soon as possible. A few shallow potholes can often be fixed by replacing just the affected section, but if there are many potholes, or the potholes are large or deep, especially if the asphalt is old or there is other damage or structural issues, then replacement of the driveway or parking lot is recommended.

Alligator cracking looks like a series of interconnected cracks that resemble the skin of an alligator. It is caused by a combination of age, wear, and weather-related damage, and can compromise the structural integrity of an asphalt driveway or parking lot. Sealcoating and resurfacing only address surface-level issues but will not fix the underlying problem. Alligator cracking is a sign that the asphalt driveway or parking lot has reached the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced.

If your asphalt driveway or parking lot has an uneven surface, it can create safety hazards for vehicles and pedestrians. Uneven surfaces can be caused by a number of issues, such as soil settling or poor soil compaction, improper base installation, heavy loads and vehicles, water damage, tree roots, or simply aging asphalt.

The age of your asphalt driveway or parking lot is also a factor in determining if it needs to be replaced. Most asphalt surfaces have a lifespan of 20-30 years. If your surface is approaching or has exceeded its useful life, it may be time to consider replacement, especially if it suffers from any of the damages mentioned in this blog.

If water is not draining properly from your asphalt driveway or parking lot, it can cause damage to the asphalt. Water can seep into small cracks and cause them to expand. Drainage issues on an asphalt driveway or parking lot may occur for several reasons, such as poor design or incorrect installation that didn't take proper drainage or slope into account.

Asphalt Replacement or Resurfacing?

These problems are all signs of significant damage to an asphalt driveway or parking lot. While asphalt resurfacing (removing the top layer of the existing asphalt and replacing it with a new layer) can help to improve the appearance of the surface, it may not be enough to fix these issues entirely, as the underlying issues may persist, causing further damage and breakdown of the asphalt over time.