If your asphalt driveway is starting to show its age, asphalt resurfacing may be the best option to bring it back to life. This process involves removing the top layers of asphalt and replacing them with a new surface that can add up to 15 years of life to your pavement. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at how asphalt resurfacing works and what benefits it can provide for your home.
Resurfacing Vs. Repaving
Resurfacing your driveway can add a brand new top layer of asphalt over the entire driveway. In this way, your old asphalt surface becomes another asphalt overlay for your driveway. Once your contractor places the new fresh asphalt layer over your damaged asphalt, they generally seal coat to keep your fresh layer looking good for years to come.
Repaving a driveway involves removing the old pavement and completely replacing the driveway. This complete replacement of your driveway involves removing all of the old layers of concrete or asphalt and then laying down the multiple layers of a brand new asphalt installation. A total driveway replacement and can prevent continued out of control structural damage. The new driveway then receives a sealcoat within a few months.
What to Do With a Worn Existing Asphalt Driveway
If your asphalt driveway has narrow cracks, an asphalt contractor can easily patch them up with crack filler. However, the hot mix asphalt used for the crack repair will not match your old asphalt. The cracked patches will show and reduce your curb appeal.
If you have more than 30% of your asphalt or concrete driveway covered in large cracks or potholes, a new asphalt layer makes sense. Even with multiple small cracks, such as alligator cracks, you’ll want to consider driveway resurfacing.
With a third of your driveway needing asphalt repair, it makes sense to resurface a driveway to keep the structural integrity lasting another decade or more!
Resurfacing can give the life of your driveway another 10-15 years and also provide that brand-new just-paved look again! Resurfacing is the best cost-effective way to get a like-new driveway.
The Resurfacing Process: Bring Worn Asphalt Driveways Back to Life
If less than 30% of your driveway has cracking and damage, it may be possible to resurface. However, first, your contractor must examine the areas to ensure that resurfacing can work for your driveway. If the damage is too extensive, resurfacing will not save your driveway and will cost more in the long-run.
If your contractor can resurface, they will go through a process including:
- Prepare your driveway by cleaning oil spots and remaining dirt
- Mill the asphalt by removing some of the top layer of the surface
- Repair large cracks or potholes or other moderate damage
- Resurface your asphalt or concrete with rolling and paving machines (1)
Once the new layer is down, your driveway will be ready to drive on within 48-72 hours.
Proper Maintenance Keeps Asphalt Driveways Lasting Decades
Keeping a well-maintained driveway can help your asphalt last for decades! It’s crucial to make any necessary repairs to cracks immediately after cold weather to prevent water damage.
During the warmer months, use a leaf blower to keep debris off the asphalt. Prevent standing water and let your local contractor handle any deep cracks or potholes immediately.
Getting a new sealcoat every few years can prevent cracking and other damage to give you a smooth blacktop driveway for longer!
Resurfacing Saves $ Per Square Foot
Crack filling is the least expensive repair for driveways with minor cracks and potholes at $2 to $3 per square foot.
However, your contractor can resurface your driveway and make it look and feel brand new for a fraction of replacement cost. Even with several small cracks, resurfacing can last several years and cost you as little as $3 to $5 per square foot.
Replacing your driveway handles extensive damage with layers-deep repairs needed.
For a driveway replacement, you’ll pay around $15 per square foot.
For example, if you have water damage throughout your driveway caused by decades of cracks and pooling water, replacement makes sense. When asphalt damage is more than skin deep with extreme weather conditions contributing to damage over decades, it’s time for more than patching or new layers.
However, for the majority of minor to moderate damage, a resurfacing job makes the most sense.
Our Experienced Asphalt Contractors Can Help
At AMP Paving, we can boost curb appeal at your home with crack repair, seal coating, and asphalt resurfacing or replacement. We have a team of experienced asphalt contractors who can help you decide the best way to repair your driveway. Get in touch today for a free estimate!
We offer solutions that meet all budgets and timelines, so contact us to get started. Our experienced asphalt specialists will work with you to find the right solution for your driveway. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
For more information or for a free quote, give us a call or contact us online!