The driveway leading into your commercial property is more important than you might realize. This is the first stretch of pavement customers, employees, and business partners have to drive or walk upon before entering your location. A smooth ride will create a positive impression (even if only subconsciously), whereas a bumpy entrance can set things off on the wrong foot and create various hazards. But even if you do a good job of maintaining your commercial driveway, it will eventually be past its prime and need to be replaced. Of course, an asphalt replacement job can be costly and time-consuming, so you need to be sure that this course of action is necessary and worthwhile.
With that in mind, here are some signs that indicate it’s time to replace the asphalt driveway at your commercial building.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Commercial Building’s Asphalt Driveway
You’re Investing in Repairs Too Often
All asphalt surfaces require ongoing maintenance and periodic repair. Small cracks aren’t a big deal, but they can quickly grow into larger problems. Staying vigilant will reduce the number of
large repairs required to keep your asphalt in decent shape. If, however, you find yourself needing to fill cracks, patch holes, and contend with other problems every few months, odds are your pavement is
suffering from deeper problems, perhaps related to your drainage system or simple aging. Whatever the case, if you’re shelling out for asphalt pavement repair projects several times a year, it’s probably more practical to replace
your driveway rather than continue fighting the inevitable.
Basic Repairs Aren’t Doing the Trick
This warning sign is directly related to the one above. After all, if you’re investing in pavement repair
on a frequent basis, it follows that these repair jobs aren’t actually doing much to keep your asphalt stable for any reasonable amount of time. When fixes such as crack filling, pothole patching, or even
repaving don’t stand the test of time, it’s likely time to take more drastic measures, such as asphalt replacement.
You’re Struggling with Standing Water
Moisture is a major problem for asphalt surfaces, which is why crack filling, pothole patching, and proper drain function are so important to extending a driveway’s longevity. If water tends to
accumulate on your commercial driveway and won’t quickly wash away, drain damage is probably the culprit, and no amount of driveway repaving or surface-level repair will solve the real problem. While it’s true
that drains can be repaired without replacing the entire driveway, this process often involves digging up significant chunks of the asphalt, making a replacement job practical (especially if the drain issues are
severe and widespread).
Your Driveway Was Installed Decades Ago
Everything has an expiration date, including asphalt paving. As we discussed in our previous blog, “The Lifecycle of New Asphalt Parking Lot Paving,” most well-maintained asphalt surfaces last about 20-25 years. After
this point, the only way to keep your driveway intact for the long haul is to start from scratch, digging up the old one and installing a new one. So, if it’s been about two decades since your commercial driveway
was installed, you’re getting close to the point where asphalt replacement is the best bet.
Repair or Replace Asphalt Driveway? That Is the Question.
With so many factors involved, it’s not always easy to know when to repair, repave, or replace your commercial driveway. That’s why New England business owners rely on Cassidy Paving to inspect their asphalt surfaces and provide necessary services to
keep their pavement in great shape. Call us today at 866-978-9788 for a free estimate on your next asphalt project!
