Running into trouble with your driveway is difficult, especially when you live somewhere like Metro Detroit where the weather damages pavement year-round. Over the years operating Fortune Asphalt Detroit, our team has heard just about every question a homeowner can ask when looking at cracks, potholes, and sinking spots. These common questions about Asphalt Repair and Asphalt Replacement in Detroit are answered below.
How do I know if I need a patch or a complete replacement?
This is the first thing most people want to know when they call Fortune Asphalt Detroit. The truth comes down to the sub-base and the percentage of the surface that is failing. If you have a localized pothole or a single crack running across an otherwise solid slab, Asphalt Patching or a partial cut-out will usually do the trick.
On the other hand, if your driveway looks like a map with alligator cracking everywhere, patching will not save it. When the foundation underneath has given out, often due to poor drainage or decades of heavy vehicle weight on clay-heavy Detroit soil, homeowners are just throwing money away by putting temporary fixes on it. Asphalt Replacement is the only permanent fix for these situations.
Why are there sudden cracks in my driveway after winter?
The freeze-thaw cycle is the main cause of damage in the Detroit climate. Water gets into microscopic fissures in the Asphalt, expands when it freezes into ice, and pushes the pavement apart. By spring, those tiny gaps turn into wide cracks. If you ignore them through the rainy spring months, water pools underneath and washes away the gravel foundation, leading to bigger structural breaks that require professional Asphalt Repair in Detroit.
Can I just DIY a pothole with cold patch from the hardware store?
You can use cold patch, but it should be viewed as a temporary bandage. Cold patch is soft because it does not require high heat to lay down, which means car tires will eventually track it around or push it right back out. It buys you a few months during the winter when hot-mix plants are closed, but it is never a permanent fix for Asphalt Pothole Repair.
How long should I really stay off my newly repaired asphalt?
Foot traffic is usually fine after a few hours once the mix cools down. For vehicles, Fortune Asphalt Detroit always tells people to wait at least 48 to 72 hours, and longer if it is a scorching hot summer day when Asphalt stays soft. Power steering turns while your car is parked completely still will chew up fresh Asphalt faster than anything else, so give it time to cure fully.
How often do I need to sealcoat to prevent major repairs?
Asphalt Sealcoating every two to three years helps lock out moisture and protects the binder from UV rays that turn your blacktop gray and brittle. But do not let anyone sell you on Sealcoating a driveway that is already crumbling. Sealcoat is cosmetic and preventative maintenance; it will not fix structural damage or fill deep holes.
If you are staring at your driveway wondering what your next move should be, call Fortune Asphalt Detroit. Fortune Asphalt Detroit will come out, take a look at what is going on, and provide Asphalt services for homes in Detroit, Michigan.