Your driveway takes a real beating year after year from normal wear and tear. Knowing when it's time to call in driveway contractors for repairs can extend the life of your driveway while making your home look cared for. Follow these tips to get help identifying when your driveway is due for some professional TLC.

Look For Cracks and Pitting

In our team's experience, it's best to have your driveway inspected at least twice a year for any new cracks or pits forming on the surface. Temperature fluctuations cause concrete and asphalt to expand and contract, allowing cracks to form. Catching minor driveway cracks when they first show up allows contractors to seal them to prevent further damage. Pitting from vehicle fluids and weather erosion creates pockets in the driveway over time. While spraying sealant into pits can help for a while, widespread pitting means your driveway needs more extensive patching and resurfacing. The more pits that develop, the sooner major repairs become necessary.

Check Flat Sections for Sinkholes

Pay extra attention to any flat areas, especially near the garage and drainage areas. Sinkholes occur when water wears away the base beneath the driveway, causing it to dip or collapse. At first, you may notice what looks like a crack or a slight dip before a large sinkhole eventually forms. Sinkholes always grow bigger, so when you spot one forming, contact a contractor to evaluate if patching the base and repaving just that area is sufficient. Delaying sinkhole repairs inevitably means replacing larger sections down the road.

Assess Low or High Areas

Is your driveway randomly higher or lower in areas preventing water from draining well after storms? This creates pooling water and ice patches in winter. High areas usually mean the base or grading wasn't properly leveled first. Sunken sections typically signal base issues underlying the driveway surface material. Besides looking unsightly, these highs and lows accelerate deterioration and become a hazard. The solution is getting the base beneath the driveway graded and rebuilt correctly before applying new surface material over the entire area for uniformity.

Keeping up with driveway maintenance means fewer costly repairs, a safer surface, and better curb appeal over time. According to the National Asphalt Pavement Association, asphalt pavement material is a combination of around 95% stone, sand, or gravel held together by asphalt cement, making it durable in many climates. When in doubt, reach out to driveway contractors to assess issues early before they evolve into major projects. If you're looking to hire driveway contractors to care for your driveway, reach out to Mainline Paving & Masonry today.