Have you ever considered your driveway? It’s just not something a homeowner often thinks of even as they come and go from their house daily. But that expanse of concrete or asphalt is important real estate on your property and should be given proper attention.

Usually, a one-car driveway is at least eight feet wide; two-car driveways vary from 15 to 18 feet. If properly put in (and maintained) the lifespan for either asphalt or concrete driveways is decades. For asphalt, more than 20 years; concrete can last up to five decades. An added feature of concrete is its ability to be colored. A rainbow of more than 200 shades and hues are now available for builders and driveway contractors. Driveways can be both aesthetic and functional.

But not all driveways reach the natural end of their lifespan due to poor installation, harsh conditions or lack of maintenance. Cracks or indentations in concrete or asphalt driveways are common sights come spring. Frequent freeze and thaw are to blame. These small issues should be dealt with quickly and professionally to avoid potentially more significant problems down the road. A significant problem worth noting, and avoiding, would be sunken driveways.

Sunken driveways happen when the underlying material under the concrete or asphalt erodes away. Usually, the problem is associated with the packing stone not be completely or correctly compacted. Water from cracks in the driveway surface or from leaking or broken pipes can also create the issue.

Bringing in a professional to deal with problems when they are small (cracks) can be thought of as a significant investment. Like with so many things in life, addressing an issue early prevents bigger and more costly repair expenses. Asphalt and concrete repair professionals can be easily be found in the phone book on online.