A common problem for many home and business owners is the fact that their driveways will slowly wear out over time. Wear and tear is a constant part of it. However, most of this wear and tear is the result of a few driveway threats that can severely affect the lifespan of your parking lot, path or anything else made out of concrete or asphalt.
The Driveway Threats Which Cause The Biggest Problems
Every driveway has something in common when it comes to dealing with issues. They have a number of “threats” that can quickly degrade it. Luckily, proper knowledge of what these driveway threats are will let you safeguard your asphalt or concrete effectively.
Microfractures in Your Driveway
The biggest driveway threats are often the most inconspicuous and difficult to track. Usually the biggest issues come from the smallest of sources. One of these tiny, but terrible problems are microfractures on your driveway.
Microfractures may seem like a minor inconvenience that just affects the appearance of your driveway. However, these can quickly grow in size and allow other driveway threats to do more damage to your driveway. For example, a microfracture might seem small on the surface, but it goes deep enough into your driveway to let moisture in. This can quickly erode the material your driveway is made of from the inside out.
The Weather Itself
Another driveway enemy that many driveway owners often overlook is the weather itself. Sun, rain, snow, and even hazy weather can all have an impact on your driveway. They can very easily create a cascade of problems that you will eventually have to deal with. This is why knowing how to safeguard your driveway from very specific weather is key to dealing with the weather.
Various Fluids Are a Major Driveway Threat
One of the more obvious driveway threats that can become an issue are various types of liquids that could seep into, or lay dormant on your driveway. The most common of these fluids is water, and it is the most common. It can easily degrade the condition of your driveway without you even noticing. Some other liquids you need to keep an eye out for is oil, which can severely degrade an asphalt driveway, and various sugary drinks, which can attract insects and pests that can burrow into weakened concrete or asphalt.
The Choice In Materials
Sometimes your own worst enemy is yourself. This can’t be more true for asphalt and concrete driveways. The very material they are made of can be their own downfall when it comes to their longevity. Each material type has its own advantages and disadvantages, but it will be up to you to figure out ways to safeguard your driveway made out of a very specific material. Failing to cater your maintenance decisions to the material used can become a major problem for your driveway in the future.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the threats that your driveway has to deal with is the first step to ensuring its longevity. We hope that this article will help you more easily spot these threats at a glance and the ability to quickly deal with these threats before they become a major issue