After many years of regular use, both concrete and asphalt driveways will eventually deteriorate, causing cracks to form and pieces to crumble. Other factors can also contribute to cracks forming, including a bad installation, poor maintenance, and rough weather. Understanding these causes can help homeowners prevent unnecessary cracks from forming in the first place.

Why Driveways Develop Cracks

When an asphalt or concrete driveway is properly installed, sealed, and maintained, it can last up to 20 years before cracks appear due to age and weather. If newer driveways begin to show cracks, your contractor did not install the material correctly. If you see patterns that resemble an alligator’s skin, either the contractor constructed the driveway base poorly or applied too many layers of sealant. You also need to maintain asphalt and concrete driveways throughout the years since excessive weight, use of salt and other cleaning chemicals, and tree roots can contribute to new cracks forming. 

How to Prevent Cracks

First, you should use a licensed and reputable paving company and quality materials. An experienced installer will construct the asphalt or concrete foundation and seal it properly. You should avoid parking vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 lbs in the driveway. Also, don’t use use salt or ice melting products to clear away snow on the pavement. Remember to routinely seal asphalt and concrete to prevent water from entering and damaging the base. 

When you’re ready to update your driveway, contact the team at The Suzio York Hill Companies. They have supplied concrete, asphalt, and crushed stone to residences and construction teams in central Connecticut for more than 100 years. They often supply concrete for flatwork projects such as driveways, patios, and elevated decks and specialize in high-quality ready-mix concrete products. To place an order for their materials, call (203) 237-8421 or visit them online.