Is Your Driveway in Need of Repair, Resurfacing, or Replacement?
Your driveway serves two important functions: function and style. A driveway in disrepair is also devoid of style. A well-kept driveway can improve curb appeal, and it's also easier to drive on and walk along if it's free of holes and large cracks. If you are considering driveway repair, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of patching, resurfacing, or replacing a driveway.
Repairing a Driveway
If you have growing cracks in your driveway, you should patch them as soon as possible. Patching is the process of filling small holes or cracks with asphalt or concrete sealant, which can be purchased at a hardware store. If these minor flaws are not repaired promptly, water will seep into the cracks and gravel beneath the asphalt, causing the asphalt to crumble and form a pothole.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Patching a Driveway
Patching a driveway can be a useful repair, but it has some drawbacks.
Pros: Patching is the simplest and least expensive method of self-repair. The patch material costs between $2 and $3 per square foot, plus around $40 for an asphalt squeegee.
Cons: This method only repairs small cracks less than a quarter-inch wide, and patching is only a temporary fix.
Driveway Resurfacing
You should patch a few small cracks in your driveway, but what if you have cracks or other damage on more than a quarter of your driveway? Then it's time to think about resurfacing, which entails scraping off damaged driveway sections and pouring on new asphalt or concrete.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Driveway Resurfacing
For deeper cracks or more extensive damage, you may want to consider resurfacing the driveway. This method is more time-consuming than patching, but it is less expensive than replacing the entire driveway.
Pros:
Repairing an asphalt driveway costs $3 to $7 per square foot, while replacing an asphalt driveway costs up to $15 per square foot. Resurfacing is a less expensive option than replacing the driveway, and it can extend the life of your driveway by up to ten years.
Cons: This is not a do-it-yourself project; you will need to hire a local pro for driveway resurfacing, which is more expensive than simple patches. Resurfacing an asphalt driveway will cost you around $3,000 on average. It is still most effective on driveways that are five to fifteen years old and in generally good condition.
Putting in a New Driveway
Anything more than minor damage will almost certainly necessitate the replacement of the driveway, especially if it is older than 15 years.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Replacing Your Driveway
For old driveways or driveways with extensive damage, such as deep cracks, pits, and potholes, replacing the driveway is the best option. However, this solution will be more expensive than patching or resurfacing.
Pros: Replacing the entire driveway is a long-term solution, and you can begin scheduling maintenance, such as resealing the driveway, from scratch. The best way to repair large cracks, potholes, and other extensive driveway damage is to replace the driveway.
Cons: This is the most expensive solution. A new asphalt driveway can cost up to $15 per square foot, or $4,500 on average. A concrete driveway replacement costs between $2,000 and $7,000.
Your driveway serves two important functions: function and style. A driveway in disrepair is also devoid of style. A well-kept driveway can improve curb appeal, and it's also easier to drive on and walk along if it's free of holes and large cracks. If you are considering driveway repair, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of patching, resurfacing, or replacing a driveway.
Repairing a Driveway
If you have growing cracks in your driveway, you should patch them as soon as possible. Patching is the process of filling small holes or cracks with asphalt or concrete sealant, which can be purchased at a hardware store. If these minor flaws are not repaired promptly, water will seep into the cracks and gravel beneath the asphalt, causing the asphalt to crumble and form a pothole.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Patching a Driveway
Patching a driveway can be a useful repair, but it has some drawbacks.
Pros: Patching is the simplest and least expensive method of self-repair. The patch material costs between $2 and $3 per square foot, plus around $40 for an asphalt squeegee.
Cons: This method only repairs small cracks less than a quarter-inch wide, and patching is only a temporary fix.
Driveway Resurfacing
You should patch a few small cracks in your driveway, but what if you have cracks or other damage on more than a quarter of your driveway? Then it's time to think about resurfacing, which entails scraping off damaged driveway sections and pouring on new asphalt or concrete.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Driveway Resurfacing
For deeper cracks or more extensive damage, you may want to consider resurfacing the driveway. This method is more time-consuming than patching, but it is less expensive than replacing the entire driveway.
Pros:
Repairing an asphalt driveway costs $3 to $7 per square foot, while replacing an asphalt driveway costs up to $15 per square foot. Resurfacing is a less expensive option than replacing the driveway, and it can extend the life of your driveway by up to ten years.
Cons: This is not a do-it-yourself project; you will need to hire a local pro for driveway resurfacing, which is more expensive than simple patches. Resurfacing an asphalt driveway will cost you around $3,000 on average. It is still most effective on driveways that are five to fifteen years old and in generally good condition.
Putting in a New Driveway
Anything more than minor damage will almost certainly necessitate the replacement of the driveway, especially if it is older than 15 years.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Replacing Your Driveway
For old driveways or driveways with extensive damage, such as deep cracks, pits, and potholes, replacing the driveway is the best option. However, this solution will be more expensive than patching or resurfacing.
Pros: Replacing the entire driveway is a long-term solution, and you can begin scheduling maintenance, such as resealing the driveway, from scratch. The best way to repair large cracks, potholes, and other extensive driveway damage is to replace the driveway.
Cons: This is the most expensive solution. A new asphalt driveway can cost up to $15 per square foot, or $4,500 on average. A concrete driveway replacement costs between $2,000 and $7,000.
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Patching vs. Resurfacing vs. Driveway Replacement
How will you know whether patching, resurfacing, or replacing your driveway is the best option for you? To determine the best solution for your damaged driveway, compare the cost, durability, and difficulty method of each level.
Appearance
If your driveway has a few narrow cracks, you can patch them up and be on your way. Keep in mind that the patched cracks will be visible, so this will not be the most appealing solution.
Resurfacing is ideal for aging driveways or those with more than 25% of the surface covered in light to moderate damage. Resurfacing the entire driveway will make it look brand new.
If your driveway has large potholes or several cracks wider than a quarter-inch, it must be replaced. With proper maintenance, a new driveway will last 15 to 20 years.
Best appearance: In terms of appearance, resurfacing is the best option because the driveway will look brand new for less money than completely replacing the driveway.
Cost
Patching is the cheapest repair, costing $2 to $3 per square foot plus the cost of an asphalt squeegee, which ranges from $20 to $60.
Resurfacing can restore the look and feel of your driveway for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Resurfacing can also last several years if you have several small cracks. Resurfacing costs between $3 and $7 per square foot.
It is more expensive to replace your driveway, but it will last longer than simply repairing it. A driveway replacement should cost around $15 per square foot.
Best value: Patching is the least expensive option in terms of cost, but resurfacing will last longer than patching while costing less than a complete replacement. Resurfacing provides the most bang for your buck.
Durability
Patching a driveway is a short-term solution. Water will eventually seep in between the new patch filler and the old asphalt, eroding the asphalt and widening the crack even if you fill a small crack. Patching a driveway can help you avoid replacing it for two to three years.
Although more expensive, resurfacing the driveway extends the life of an existing driveway by several years. If you resurface the driveway and follow up with regular maintenance, you can expect it to last another five to ten years.
When a driveway is completely replaced, the new driveway should last 15 to 20 years.
Most durable: The most durable option is to replace a driveway. However, whether you patch, resurface, or replace your driveway, you must maintain it to keep it looking and performing at its best.
DIY or Professional?
You can easily do your own patching; just make sure you add patch filler to narrow cracks rather than trying to patch potholes.
Both resurfacing and replacing a driveway will necessitate the hiring of a local driveway repair professional. The professionals can properly assess the damage and make the necessary repairs. You could cause more damage if you try to repair or replace a driveway yourself.
Patching is the only driveway option that you should do yourself.
Best Practices for Driveway Maintenance
How will you know whether patching, resurfacing, or replacing your driveway is the best option for you? To determine the best solution for your damaged driveway, compare the cost, durability, and difficulty method of each level.
Appearance
If your driveway has a few narrow cracks, you can patch them up and be on your way. Keep in mind that the patched cracks will be visible, so this will not be the most appealing solution.
Resurfacing is ideal for aging driveways or those with more than 25% of the surface covered in light to moderate damage. Resurfacing the entire driveway will make it look brand new.
If your driveway has large potholes or several cracks wider than a quarter-inch, it must be replaced. With proper maintenance, a new driveway will last 15 to 20 years.
Best appearance: In terms of appearance, resurfacing is the best option because the driveway will look brand new for less money than completely replacing the driveway.
Cost
Patching is the cheapest repair, costing $2 to $3 per square foot plus the cost of an asphalt squeegee, which ranges from $20 to $60.
Resurfacing can restore the look and feel of your driveway for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Resurfacing can also last several years if you have several small cracks. Resurfacing costs between $3 and $7 per square foot.
It is more expensive to replace your driveway, but it will last longer than simply repairing it. A driveway replacement should cost around $15 per square foot.
Best value: Patching is the least expensive option in terms of cost, but resurfacing will last longer than patching while costing less than a complete replacement. Resurfacing provides the most bang for your buck.
Durability
Patching a driveway is a short-term solution. Water will eventually seep in between the new patch filler and the old asphalt, eroding the asphalt and widening the crack even if you fill a small crack. Patching a driveway can help you avoid replacing it for two to three years.
Although more expensive, resurfacing the driveway extends the life of an existing driveway by several years. If you resurface the driveway and follow up with regular maintenance, you can expect it to last another five to ten years.
When a driveway is completely replaced, the new driveway should last 15 to 20 years.
Most durable: The most durable option is to replace a driveway. However, whether you patch, resurface, or replace your driveway, you must maintain it to keep it looking and performing at its best.
DIY or Professional?
You can easily do your own patching; just make sure you add patch filler to narrow cracks rather than trying to patch potholes.
Both resurfacing and replacing a driveway will necessitate the hiring of a local driveway repair professional. The professionals can properly assess the damage and make the necessary repairs. You could cause more damage if you try to repair or replace a driveway yourself.
Patching is the only driveway option that you should do yourself.
Best Practices for Driveway Maintenance
- Whether you decide to patch the cracks or replace the entire driveway, maintenance is critical to extending the life of your driveway.
- Repair cracks as soon as you notice them and before they grow too large or deep.
- Every three to five years, reseal your driveway.
- Shovel snow rather than salting the driveway, which can cause cracking.
- Every six months to a year, pressure wash your driveway. If you notice fluid stains, such as oil from a car, clean them right away.