Asphalt Paving Blog

Is Your Driveway Looking Scary? Asphalt Repair Tips Just In Time for Halloween

wpblogscaryroadsmallWith Halloween right around the corner, is your driveway ready to greet the ghosts, goblins and ghouls? Take a look at some spooky asphalt repair problems and solutions to get you ready for the holiday -- courtesy of (Were)Wolf Paving.

Perilous Pavement Potholes
Potholes can be pretty scary to both pedestrians and drivers. Luckily, if your driveway has potholes, they are a relatively easy fix.

Potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of water after it has entered into the ground under the pavement. When water compromises the pavement and the sub-base, it creates weak spots. As the weight of cars and trucks pass over the weak spot in the pavement, the pavement begins to weaken further, creating a pothole.

In general there are four steps in the pothole repair process; cleaning the pothole, heating the pothole, adding new asphalt, and waiting for the asphalt to cool. Enlisting the help of an asphalt-paving expert means the pothole repair process can be completed quickly and efficiently, before it gets too scary!

Creepy Asphalt Cracks
In our opinion, creepy cracks are meant for haunted houses, not your driveway. It is important to address cracks in your driveway before they begin to spread, because cracks can be a sign of structural failure in the sub-base under the asphalt.

Cracks smaller than ¼ inch can and should be filled upon inspection. This will prevent them from spreading further and causing damage to the surface area. Larger cracks, including alligator cracks, can be filled temporarily using cold mix asphalt but that is not a long-term solution. Since alligator cracking has more to do with shifting in the sub-base of asphalt and the structural integrity of the ground, it is best to work with a reputable contractor who can offer repair advice to meet your needs.

Frightened Fading
No, your driveway hasn’t just seen a ghost. That pale expression it has is from a year of tough, unpredictable weather. Simply put, the general use of your driveway in combination with changes in weather can cause fading over time. The simplest way to bring life back to your faded driveway is to sealcoat regularly.

Sealcoating protects your driveway or parking lot from deteriorating over time. Think of sealcoating as armor for you asphalt; it protects against weather, gasoline, oil, chemicals and UV radiation.

Treacherous Trees Roots
This October, trick-or-treaters might not be the only mischief-makers on your property. In fact, when it comes to your driveway, there is nothing more mischievous than a growing tree. Trees can have very large and complicated root systems underground as a means to gather water and other nutrients for continued growth. The pursuit of water means trees can grow their roots as far as 50 to 75 feet out from their trunks, and sometimes, under your driveway. Tree roots can cause any number of asphalt problems, like cracks, bumps and heaving. The best course of action to take is to find a reputable contractor to help assess the situation and recommend an appropriate course of action.

Spooky Stains
During this time of year, dripping automotive fluids from parked vehicles or crushed leaves from fall cleanup often cause pavement stains. Luckily, with the right materials, driveway stains are very simple to clean. If you have a bottle of cola, or are the proud owner of a cat, then cleaning driveway stains is a breeze. Take an in-depth look at methods to clean stains from your driveway.

Remember, a well maintained driveway is important not only for the sake of esthetics, but also for longevity. If you see potholes, cracks, fading, tree roots, and stains, it is always encouraged to proactively fix these problems. Because really, what is scarier than letting simple pavement problems get out of hand, resulting in more costly repairs?

Did we miss any scary driveway problems? Or do you have any tips for driveway maintenance? Tell us about it in the comment section below! We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

With 75 years of asphalt paving experience, from highways to driveways, we are your local source for all of your asphalt paving needs.

For more information on Wolf Paving or to request a free quote for your next paving project contact one of our two offices. If you live or work in the Milwaukee area, call us at 262-965-2121. For the Madison area, call us at 608-249-7931.

Topics: Pothole, Asphalt Repair, Residential Paving