With proper care and routine maintenance, paved surfaces—such as asphalt driveways and parking lots—can stay in good shape for several years. However, there may still be times when weathering, aging, or shifts in the foundation damage the surface. When this happens, property owners must decide whether to repair or replace the pavement. If you’re unsure of what is best for your parking lot or driveway, here are a few factors you should consider.

How to Determine If a Driveway or Parking Lot Needs Repair or Replacement

Depth of Damage

For the most part, small cracks, chips, and holes can be repaired early on. Smaller cracks that are less than a quarter of an inch wide, for instance, can usually be restored with liquid filler.

Larger holes that don’t compromise the entire structure of the pavement may also benefit from surface patching. A trusted asphalt contractor will remove damaged material, prepare the surface, and pour in new material that is then compacted and leveled.

If the damage runs considerably deep or expands across the length of the surface, repairs likely aren’t enough to maintain the pavement’s overall look and integrity. In these situations, it’s usually more cost-effective to break up the old driveway or parking lot and have a new one put in.

Appearance

While patching may make a driveway or parking lot level once again, the filled-in cracks can be noticeable—especially if there are many damaged areas that need repair. If the look of your driveway or parking lot is important to you—such as when you’re selling the property—it may be better to opt for resurfacing.

Resurfacing is the practice of breaking up the top layers of asphalt, repairing structural issues, and laying down new material. This technique is more involved than standard patching, but can restore curb appeal at a lower cost than complete replacement.

Age

For the most part, asphalt driveways and parking lots offer a service life of about 20 years. If your pavement is reaching this age, total replacement is usually the best way to go, since you’ll likely need it soon anyway. However, if the surface is just a few years old, patching or resurfacing can help you maintain your investment for several more years.

Pavement damage isn’t necessarily easy to assess with the naked eye alone. That’s why, when Concord, NC, property owners have concerns about their driveways or parking lots, they call the specialists at Smith Brothers Paving. Providing commercial and residential paving services for more than four decades, these experts can evaluate damage to determine which restoration option is best for you. Visit this trusted asphalt contractor online to learn more about their capabilities or call (704) 786-5859 to request an estimate for service.