Your driveway is one of the first things you’re going to see when you walk or drive into a business or your home. It only makes sense to make sure that you get the most out of it and to keep it maintained. However, there are certainly times when your driveway just gets damaged. This is when you have to decide whether you’re going to want to keep your current driveway and repair it or simply replace it with a new one.
Replace or Repair Your Driveway? What’s The Right Choice?
Deciding whether you’re going to replace or repair your driveway can be a tough choice. There are many factors that you need to consider in order to make sure that you’re making the right choice. We’ve made a list of these things you need to consider when you’re deciding on what to do with your driveway.
Consider The Age of The Driveway
One of the most important factors to consider when you’re planning to either replace or repair your driveway is how old it is. Every driveway will have a limited lifespan and it will start showing more signs of wear and tear once it reaches that point. This varies based on the materials used to pave it, and also the amount of care and maintenance you give it. A rule of thumb is that asphalt pavements last around twenty to thirty years with proper care, while concrete pavements will last nearly fifty years. If your pavement is around this age, then you may want to consider a replacement instead of a repair.
How Much Abuse and Damage Has It Gone Through?
If you’re giving your driveway the right amount of maintenance, then this isn’t something you should be too concerned about. However, regardless of the care you give it, you still have to deal with the occasional pothole or crack. These problems slowly wear down your driveway as they slowly affect the foundation of your pavement. If your driveway has only had one, two or three of these issues then you’re free to go with a repair. However, if it has experienced dozens of cracks and potholes then it might be time to consider a replacement.
What’s the Weather Like?
A good consideration to have whenever you have to decide between a replacement or repair is the weather. You have to consider the current weather and constant weather. You may be wondering what we mean by current and constant weather.
Current weather is what you have to deal with during the replacement or repair. So if it’s currently the rainy season then you’re going to struggle with conducting a full repair because it takes time to complete. Constant weather, on the other hand, is what your pavement has to deal with on a daily basis throughout the years. For example, asphalt pavements in very hot areas like Arizona will need to be replaced sooner than an asphalt pavement in a colder area.
Your Budget Should Also Be Considered
Dealing with a problem is one thing, but you need to have the funds to effectively deal with it. If you don’t have the right budget for it then you’re going to have problems in the future. Whatever you do may cause more damage than good. A good consideration for your budget should also be the paving contractor you’re going to hire; if you’re going to hire one. Regardless of whether you hire a contractor or not, considering your budget is important to ensure that you get the most out of a repair or a replacement.