Your driveway is part of the curb appeal to your home; when it’s in bad repair, it can create an awful eyesore and unsightly mess. When kept in good condition, it can be an asset to the whole appearance of your home exterior. Below we have listed the top 4 reasons to maintain your driveway.
Value: A nice driveway can certainly add value to your home. If you’re staying, it will benefit you as a homeowner to keep the value of your home at appropriate levels. If you’re selling your home, the appearance of your driveway is the first thing that a buyer sees and evaluates. It can be the difference between a sale and a house left sitting on the market.
Functionality: A driveway in disrepair is no longer serving the purpose for which it has been designed. In general, a driveway is used for vehicles to access your home, and a spot for vehicles (think your RV or camper) to be parked and spend part of the year. If your driveway is in good condition, there will be less risk of damage or wear to your vehicle tires.
Safety: Your homeowners insurance includes liability, but it’d be a shame to have to use it because your friend or neighbour tripped and injured themselves on a piece of loose asphalt. A well kept driveway keeps hazards down and the safety of your friends and family as a priority.
Legal Issues: It’s no fun to be at odds with your town laws and regulations, and most places now have strict rules when it comes to driveways and their maintenance. Keep on the good side of the law by knowing what the rules are and complying with them so you can avoid nasty fines.
So when should you have your driveway repaved? Sometimes there are obvious signs. If your driveway has holes, is uneven, or cracked, it might be time to have it repaved, especially if the damage is in critical areas; those most used, for example. A hole or crack off in a corner that nobody walks or drives on can wait longer than damage down the center of your driveway paving which sees a lot of traffic. You should also check to see how deep or wide the cracks are. Certain small cracks could be filled as a temporary measure until you’re ready to repave, but if the cracks are wider than a quarter of an inch and a few inches deep, filling them won’t do a lot of good.
How old is your driveway? If it’s approaching about 20 years, it’s probably time to consider having it redone. Asphalt only lasts so long, and at a certain point, there’s no sense in just patching; you’ll be a lot further ahead of the game if you just bite the bullet and have the entire driveway done properly. It will certainly avoid the constant patching that an old driveway can demand, and can side step larger issues before they even arise.