A failing driveway is a major problem for any driveway owner. Not only do you have to invest in repairs more frequently, but you also have to consider replacing the driveway. Both options take time and money to complete and can be a significant drain on your day to day budget. However, knowing the reasons why a driveway could fail is a great way to help yourself avoid these problems. But what exactly can cause your driveway to fail and what can you do about it?
What Causes Your Driveway To Fail
There are a number of reasons why a driveway can fail. However, not all of these issues will be immediately apparent or visible to the untrained eye. So our team of experts have made a list of things that can cause your driveway to fail.
Lack of Maintenance and Care
Your driveway should always be given the right care and maintenance in order to last as long as possible. However, missing out on these maintenance sessions can eventually cause your driveway to crumble and become weak overtime. The worst part is that neglecting maintenance means that you just might be surprised by several large cracks and potholes slowly showing up one at a time.
Water Seeping into The Driveway
The worst enemy of any driveway is water. Water slowly corrodes both the surface and the foundation of your driveway, regardless of how stable the foundation was before. Water can also pool in existing depressions and potholes on your driveway which makes them a persistent problem that can be hard to fix once these depressions and potholes start showing up.
An Unstable Foundation
Another issue that can cause your driveway to fail is an unstable foundation. This can be caused by either water getting into the foundation and freezing, or sublimating under your driveway or due to a mistake on your contractor’s part. Usually a professional contractor will ensure that the driveway’s foundation is stable before the installation. However, some contractors will neglect ensuring that your foundation is ready to be turned into a driveway.
Problems During the Installation of Your Driveway
We’ve mentioned earlier that your contractor is responsible for ensuring that your driveway’s foundation is stable. That extends to the entire installation process. If you hire a contractor that isn’t aware of the small things that could damage your driveway in the long run, then your driveway won’t last very long. This is especially true for installations where every step matters.
Not Using a Sealcoating
Sealcoating is a great tool that every driveway owner should be aware of. Sealcoating ensures that there is a protective layer on top of your driveway. This protective layer prevents your driveway from being in direct contact with water, and it also seals off micro cracks that could be forming. It effectively increases the lifespan of your driveway by several years and ensures that it won’t fail for longer.
What Can You Do About Driveway Failure?
The most important part of minimizing or preventing driveway failure is ensuring that you properly maintain it. The second is making sure that you call in professional contractors in case the problems start piling up. This prevents any of these issues from growing any bigger.