When it comes to home repairs, people often look at the more “exciting” areas of the home. You just remodeled the kitchen, finally fixed the bathtub in the master bathroom, or upgraded the lights in the living room.
While these places are likely to win you some compliments, your driveway will likely go unnoticed. Your driveway is simply there, and the expectation is, it will remain intact.
That’s why it can be easy to overlook your driveway when it requires repairs. Ignoring signs your driveway is in trouble means you might be spending a pretty penny in the future to get it fixed.
It’s best to catch any issues early and make sure you get in touch with concrete contractors to come and fix the problem.
But what are the issues? What should you be looking out for? Here are six signs your driveway needs repairs.
How Often Should I Check my Driveway?
Just like anything else you own, your driveway needs regular checks. You can discover many of the following issues with a quick check.
For a more in-depth look, pull out your magnifying glass once every six months or so. It won’t take long, but being on top of issues before they arise is going to save you time and money.
1. Potholes
Annoying on the road but even more annoying at home, potholes are a sign your driveway is in deep trouble.
Potholes form after water sifts between cracks (more on that later) in your driveway. The water can do one of two things. It can expand when it freezes, widening the concrete and causing such potholes. Or, it can seep down into the ground and cause it to shift. Either way, potholes are a huge red flag that your driveway needs repairs.
2. Cracks
Every driveway may have a crack or two. However, when you start to notice long or wide cracks, that’s a sign your driveway needs repairs. Cracks can be caused by several things, such as de-icing salt, oil, gas, and even excess water.
Cracks by themselves aren’t the end of the world, but they can lead to a whole host of other issues, especially during the winter months. You can repair small cracks on your own, but large cracks often can’t be repaired, and the concrete needs to be replaced entirely. As with other household issues, it’s best to call a professional.
3. Faded Color
In the beginning, your driveway was a solid black color without blemish. It was never going to keep that perfect color, but if you start to notice an increase in discoloration around your driveway, that could be a glaring issue.
Those discolorations could be as a result of sunlight or oil or gas spills on your driveway. Either way, it’s time to repave your driveway as ignoring the issue is going to hurt your curb appeal and diminish the home value.
4. Pooling Water
Naturally, there may be pools of water on your driveway after a big rainstorm or car wash, but if the water stays a little longer than expected, then you’re likely facing a drainage issue.
In case you haven’t noticed, many of these issues are connected. Pooling water leads to cracks, which can then lead to significant potholes.
Catching this issue early on is going to help prevent you from shelling out tons of money to repair bigger problems down the line.
5. Crumbling
Perhaps one of the easiest signs to spot, crumbling, is a huge issue which means your driveway will likely need to be replaced entirely.
You’ll want to watch out around the gutters and edges to see if there is major crumbling. Don’t fret over the occasional rock or two, but consistent crumbling is a sign your driveway needs immediate repairs.
6. Age
It’s an adage as old as time, “they just don’t make them like they used to.” While the word is still out on whether or not this applies to driveways, your driveway does need regular maintenance every 15-20 years.
Even if you’re not noticing any significant signs, it might be time for a repair after years of exposure to weather, the sun, water, freezing temperatures, and years of use. Make sure you contact a professional for the best results.
When it comes to home maintenance and repairs, it is always best to call a professional to fix things. Here are five signs you need a professional plumbing service.
