Experts agree that a well installed asphalt paving driveway should last between eight and ten years. Knowing what to expect from your paved driveway allows homeowners to keep up on the necessary maintenance and gauge the quality of both product and installation early on.
Although climate conditions and grading affect durability, there are certain benchmarks you can watch for in the average asphalt driveway. Keep an eye out for these conditions through the lifespan of your drive.
Year One - Looks Good
Asphalt generally looks good after one full season. It stands up well to the snow and freezing temperatures of one winter, with water repelling from the surface. Expect a very smooth, even surface and crisp edges.
Many homeowners take the time to seal their asphalt now, either applying a DIY sealant or hiring a driveway sealer to complete the work.
Year Two - Oxidation
Oxidation has begun to take place by this point in the life of your asphalt driveway. The matte black surface will start to look gray, possibly in patches. Depending on the exposure and time of year, this fading process will eventually cover your entire driveway.
Year Three - Sand Movement
After the sun has oxidized or faded the asphalt mixture, sand begins to work out. These tiny particles slowly come out of the compressed mixture and away from the base and edges, weakening the support structure and resulting in further degradation throughout the next few years. You may not notice this movement, but the natural shifting and frost movement causes sand to move out and away from an asphalt driveway.
Year Four - Gravel Loosening
One of the first results of sand movement is loose gravel. Gravel provides a strong base for the asphalt, facilitating drainage and helping to keep the surface sound and even. A small amount of loose gravel will likely appear throughout this year. There isn't much to be done besides keeping heavy loads off of the driveway for extended periods of time.
Year Five - More Movement
By year five, you should see a fair amount of gravel loosening. You may need to sweep the gravel away from the area or pick it out of your grass. Loosing substantial amounts of gravel along the edges of your driveway could result in breakage or falling away, so watch for problem areas and avoid parking vehicles or heavy equipment in that spot.
Year Six - Cracks
As gravel loosens and falls away from the base, drainage becomes an issue. The asphalt is exposed to rainwater and groundwater from underneath, creating sizeable cracks across the driveway. This often happens in spring and fall, although do not be surprised when these cracks appear at any time of year.
Poured concrete driveways and walkways are designed with controlled joints to avoid cracking issues. But since asphalt is a solid surface from edge to edge, expansion and movement naturally result in cracking. Cracks can be filled by special filler products. Most often the driveway needs to be sealed over those cracks to preserve the bond. And further cracking cannot be prevented, only delayed for a time.
Year Seven - Scaly Appearance
Sometimes called alligator cracking or crocodile cracking, this distinctive pattern is caused by fatigue cracking and results from the deterioration of the gravel and sand base under your driveway. If you see this type of distinctive cracking pattern before the six or seven year mark, consider having the patch repaired right away to avoid premature degradation. But if this cracking appears at a later stage, save your money—it will be time to replace the entire driveway in just a few short years.
Alligator cracking tends to happen in concentrated areas, although the pattern can spread across a larger area. Spots at the side of your driveway present the biggest problem.
Year Eight - Breakage
A driveway can only withstand so much cracking of any sort or pattern. When your asphalt is dotted with alligator spots and large cracks reaching across the width of your drive, breakage is the inevitable result. The surface has moved well beyond repair when portions of your asphalt begin to break away completely.
This most often occurs along the edges and in depressions caused by heavy weights or long-standing sports equipment. Watch for sizeable portions coming loose or falling out along the seams between your driveway and garage slab or any adjoining walkway or patio surface.
Year Nine - Potholes or Chuckholes
Potholes aren't just a problem on roads, causing repairs for countless vehicles. These pesky voids in the flat surface of your driveway appear when an internal section of the driveway breaks out or falls apart and creates a hole. This space then collects water or snow, further deteriorating the base, spreading the cracks and encouraging alligator cracking. Once you have one or two potholes, entire portions of the driveway will become unusable.
Year Ten - Replacement
You have cause to celebrate if your asphalt driveway has lasted ten years. In four-season climates and on busy properties, a driveway takes significant abuse year by year, resulting in a worn, broken driveway within one decade.
Talk to various contractors about replacing the driveway, including ones who will scrape off a few layers and repave or use recycled asphalt to help you choose an eco friendly solution. Ensure that your new asphalt comes with a solid warranty and a quality mix, two features well worth the investment for any property.
Your asphalt paving driveway will look great for the first year, before fading due to oxidization and losing both sand and gravel as a result of shifting. Once gravel has fallen away, the cracking begins and rapidly moves into alligator cracking , leading to breakage and potholes. Once the surface has degraded to that point, replacement is your only option. Hire a professional paver and have the project done well, backed by a good warranty. This will help to ensure your asphalt paving lasts for a full ten years.
Posted by: dianaSuggested Reading For You
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