Beyond practicality and safety, the look and feel of your driveway directly affects the value of your home or business. And like any other asset, your driveway requires ongoing maintenance to postpone its inevitable replacement. While asphalt repair is cost-effective, it is a temporary fix. For a more permanent solution, asphalt resurfacing is relatively quick and reasonably priced. Then there’s always the option to fully replace your driveway surface if you need it. But that’s not always the best solution or even necessary.
Your driveway’s age, usage and condition will determine which option works best. If you still need help deciding after reading this quick guide, get in touch with our team of experts for friendly, helpful advice with no obligation.
When asphalt repair works and when they don’t
Repairing your old asphalt driveway should be part of its maintenance program. Stopping a small hole from turning into a large pothole or failure will increase the longevity of your driveway and postpone more costly resurfacing and / or replacement costs.
Initially, small damaged areas can easily be fixed with hot asphalt. Larger repairs and holes can indicate ongoing damage beneath the surface. In this case, surface patching is a good temporary fix. Start with our asphalt repairing tips, clean the hole and then spread, level and compact the new asphalt. This repair will only stabilise your driveway in the short term. To avoid repetitive patchwork and for a more aesthetically pleasing result, resurfacing is a much better long-term option.
Contractors will sometimes recommend patching in sections to fix asphalt driveways that present cracks and holes. This process involves cutting and removing a larger surface area and replacing it with new asphalt from the base up. While cost-effective, large patching is not very aesthetic and leaves the remaining driveway prone to further damage that will inevitably require resurfacing or replacement and also can lead to water ponding or interrupting water flow to drainage points.
An industrial asphalt roller compacting this smooth new asphalt driveway.
Why asphalt resurfacing is a great option
Asphalt resurfacing need not involve completely removing and replacing the top layer of the old asphalt surface. A material that matches the original in colour and texture can extend the lifespan of your driveway for another 15 years or more and make it look new again at a fraction of the cost of a complete replacement.
With over 30+ years of experience in driveway resurfacing in Perth, we have compiled a list of indicators that this is the right treatment for your driveway:
- The damage is less than 25-30% of the entire driveway surface
- Whenever you are considering the patching of larger sections
- Uneven areas forming dips and puddles
- Overgrown vegetation and weeds
- Your asphalt driveway is up to 20 – 30 years old
- The basecourse (driveway foundation) is still sound
- Pothole repairs have become expensive with no long-term relief
An old asphalt driveway, can in the majority of cases, be resurfaced without removal of the old surface. However, if left for too long before resurfacing, it may be necessary to remove the old surface.
When we replace a driveway, we start by removing a layer of asphalt and levelling the surface, adjusting drainage features, and removing tree roots before laying the new asphalt. These steps will rehabilitate the structure of your old driveway and protect it against future damage. We finish the job by laying a fresh asphalt layer for a neat “new driveway” look.
Large split asphalt driveway with a central garden to soon provide an attractive view from the house.
When should you resurface or replace your asphalt driveway surface?
Driveways are not built to last forever. Constant exposure to traffic and the weather will eventually take its toll. After 20 years or more, any driveway surface will be compromised and due for a resurface or replacement.
Repairing without resurfacing an old driveway will only leave you in an endless cycle of damage and repair. It’s why we strongly recommend replacing any driveway when:
- The damage is larger than 25 to 30% of the entire surface
- The driveway is 20+ years old.
- The old surface is thin and cracked / crazed
- The basecourse is unstable and/or in poor condition
Replacing the driveway surface is a long-term investment and a clean start. Keeping up with the maintenance of your new driveway will ensure it should not require any major work for another 20 years, depending on its use over that period. Learn more from our 3 tips to maintain your asphalt driveway.
Professional driveway resurfacing in Perth
At NK Asphalt, we are your experts in asphalt driveway resurfacing in Perth and beyond. Since 1989, we have worked with thousands of happy customers in both residential and commercial settings.
Contact us for an obligation-free measure and quote. We can provide an over-the-phone consultation or inspect the job and give an honest opinion to arrive at the most cost-effective method for a good long-term result.
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