A home’s driveway provides a convenient place to park vehicles and reach your home. Over time, regardless of material choice, driveways can show signs of wear and tear in many different ways, including cracks, weeds, and stains. While you can’t completely prevent issues with your driveway, you can lower their prevalence and reduce costly repairs with preventative measures and routine driveway cleaning. Learn about the most common problems with driveways of all materials and how to prevent and fix them.
Cracks
Asphalt, stone, brick, or concrete driveways can all experience cracks. Stress, wear and tear, excess weight, or nearby roots can cause cracks of varying severity. Small cracks aren’t significant issues initially but can widen or lengthen to become more substantial. While driveway cracks are mostly cosmetic problems, they can affect curb appeal and property value and may even lead to loss of driveway effectiveness. Sealing concrete or asphalt driveways can provide adequate crack prevention, as water can no longer penetrate the surface. You’ll want to apply this sealant at least every few years. Manage vegetation near the driveway, and don’t allow plants or trees to exist too close to the material. If your driveway already has cracks, small ones can be filled with caulk or other patching compounds. Larger cracks will require a new layer of concrete or asphalt.
Stains
Stains on a driveway are pretty standard, as decaying grass, motor oil, water, chemicals, and tire marks frequently interact with the material. Regularly washing and rinsing your driveway can prevent stains like leaf decay, motor oil, or chemicals from permanently altering your driveway’s appearance. Sealing your driveway can prevent many stains. You can scrub and wash stains using dishwashing or laundry soap if you’ve already acquired some stains. Power washing can remove even tougher stains, but you’ll have to be careful, as power washing can also damage your driveway.
Loose Edges
Driveway materials of all types can have loose, cracked, or faded edges due to erosion or plant life. Regularly raking the gravel driveway into place can prevent loose stones from escaping the edges. Pavers can also provide simple, cost-effective edges for gravel driveways to prevent stones from traveling. If pavers crack or loosen, you can reinstall or replace them to solidify the edges. Concrete or asphalt edge cracks will need to be filled or repoured. Fortunately, edge cracks can be pried from the rest of the driveway and repoured easily. Avoid placing objects or plants near the driveway’s edges to prevent loose edges. Apply sealant to your driveway to reduce the likelihood of cracks. Regularly rake your gravel driveway into place or apply pavers to manage the ends.
Raveling
Asphalt driveways can be prone to raveling, which is the disintegration of the top layer of asphalt. Loose or broken rocks on the top of your asphalt may indicate raveling. Raveling can age a driveway and affect its curb appeal. When raveling grows severe, it can even lead to potholes. Applying a sealant every few years to your asphalt driveway can help prevent raveling. Avoid heavy traffic or debris on your driveway. Ensure snow plows can expertly maneuver driveways to avoid damage. Lightweight raveling can be repaired with patching and sealing to prevent further damage. However, if the raveling is extensive, you may need to repave your driveway.
Overgrowth
Any driveway with intentional or accidental cracks can see weeds or overgrowth in the middle of the material. Weeds can also grow through gravel driveways, as loose rock provides small gaps between the sun and dirt underneath. You’ll need to remove weeds from your driveway thoroughly to prevent cracks from roots. Non-toxic herbicides can also kill weeds, such as vinegar—but be careful the ingredients don’t damage your driveway as well. Repair and seal any accidental cracks that caused the weed growth. Regularly rake and maintain your gravel driveway to prevent excess weed growth. You can prevent weed growth by adding thick layers of gravel or installing a weed barrier before laying your material.
Discoloration
Aside from stains, driveway discoloration can happen due to age, sunlight, mold, curing issues, or installation mistakes. Washing the driveway’s surface may remove some causes of discoloration. Resurfacing or painting can remove discoloration, but in cases of mold or mildew, you’ll have to remove the mold beforehand to address the underlying issue. To prevent discoloration, ensure your material is mixed and cured correctly. Seal your driveway to protect it further from weather or the elements.
Shifting Gravel
If your driveway is made of loose stone or gravel, rain and overuse can shift the material away from your driveway. Rain can even entirely wash out a gravel driveway. Loose material requires regular raking and leveling to keep the driveway in place. If you’ve lost too much material, you’ll need to add more to replenish your driveway’s look and function. Driveway gravel or stone can be purchased at most landscaping stores, or you can arrange for gravel delivery to save time. (Thanks to a few local searches, finding gravel delivery near me was easier than expected.) Once you’ve obtained new layers of gravel in the driveway, keep the gravel in one place through raking, leveling, and occasional replenishment.
Potholes
Potholes are wide holes in the driveway that make the terrain rough for driving or walking. Extensive potholes can even damage your car! Potholes are caused when water traps beneath the driveway’s surface; temperature changes can expand or contract the water, leading to material damage. To prevent potholes, you’ll need a good drainage system for your driveway. Regular cleaning and maintenance help, too. Unfortunately, most potholes need a fresh material pour to smooth the surface. Extensive potholes throughout your driveway will require entire resurfacing.
Conclusion
Driveways of any material type are prone to cracks, potholes, and weed growth. Raking, sealing, and routine cleaning can prevent driveway damage and discoloration and keep your home looking brand new. Drainage systems and weed barriers can also prevent problems like potholes and overgrowth from occurring.
