Don’t let your driveway’s disrepair distrupt your dribble—or anything else, for that matter
Your driveway serves two major purposes: function and style. And a driveway in disrepair definitely lacks style. A well-maintained driveway can boost curb appeal, plus it’s easier to drive on and walk along a driveway that’s free of holes and large cracks. If you are looking into driveway repair, first weigh the pros and cons of patching, resurfacing, or replacing a driveway.
Patching a Driveway
If you’re dealing with growing cracks in your driveway, you’ll want to patch them as soon as possible. Patching means filling tiny holes or cracks with asphalt or concrete sealant, which you can pick up at a hardware store. If you don’t patch these small imperfections quickly, water will seep into the cracks and the gravel below the asphalt, leading the asphalt to crumble into a pothole.
Pros and Cons of Patching a Driveway
Patching a driveway can be a helpful fix, but there are some drawbacks to this method.
Pros: Patching is the easiest repair method to do yourself, and it’s the least expensive. The patch material costs $2 to $3 per square foot, plus about $40 for an asphalt squeegee.
Cons: This method only repairs smaller cracks less than one-quarter-inch wide, and patching is more of a short-term solution.
Resurfacing a Driveway
If you have a few small cracks, you’ll want to patch the driveway, but what if you have cracks or other damage on more than a quarter of your driveway? Then, it’s time to consider resurfacing, which involves scraping off damaged parts of the driveway and pouring on new asphalt or concrete.
Pros and Cons of Resurfacing a Driveway
You might consider resurfacing the driveway for deeper cracks or more extensive damage. This method is more intensive than patching, but it will cost less than replacing the entire driveway.
Pros: The cost to repair an asphalt driveway is $3 to $7 per square foot, and replacing an asphalt driveway can cost up to $15 per square foot. Resurfacing is a more cost-effective option compared to replacing the driveway, and it will add up to 10 more years of life to your driveway.
Cons: This is not a DIY project; you’ll need to hire a local pro for driveway resurfacing, and it costs more than simple patches. Expect to pay an average of $3,000 to resurface an asphalt driveway. It still works best for driveways that are in overall decent condition and are five to 15 years old.
Replacing a Driveway
Anything more than moderate damage will likely require you to replace the driveway, especially if the driveway is older than 15 years.
Pros and Cons of Replacing Your Driveway
Replacing your driveway is the best option for old driveways or driveways with a lot of damage, like deep cracks, pits, and potholes. But this solution will cost more than patching or resurfacing.
Pros: Replacing the entire driveway is a long-term solution, and you can start fresh on scheduling maintenance, like resealing the driveway. Replacing the driveway is the best method to fix large cracks, potholes, and other extensive driveway damage.
Cons: This solution is the most expensive. The cost to replace an asphalt driveway can go up to $15 per square foot, or an average of $4,500. The cost to replace a concrete driveway is $2,000 to $7,000.
Patching vs. Resurfacing vs. Replacing a Driveway
How will you really know whether patching, resurfacing, or replacing your driveway is right for you? Compare the cost, durability, and difficulty method of each level to determine the best solution for your damaged driveway.
Appearance
If you have a few narrow cracks in your driveway, you can patch them up and be on your way. Keep in mind that this will not be the most attractive fix, though, as the patched cracks will be visible.
Resurfacing is best for driveways that are aging or that have more than 25% of the surface covered in light to moderate damage. If you resurface the entire driveway, it will look brand new.
Replacing the driveway is necessary if your driveway has large potholes or several cracks wider than one-quarter-inch. A new driveway will last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance.
Best appearance: Overall, resurfacing is the best option in terms of appearance, as the driveway will look brand new for less cost compared to completely replacing the driveway.
Cost
Patching is the least expensive repair at $2 to $3 per square foot, plus the cost of an asphalt squeegee, $20 to $60.
Resurfacing can make your driveway look and feel brand new for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. If you have several small cracks, resurfacing can last several years, too. Resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
If you want to replace your driveway, it is more of an investment, but it will last longer than just repairing it. Expect to spend about $15 per square foot to replace a driveway.
Best value: In terms of cost, patching is the least expensive option, but resurfacing will last longer than patching while costing less than a complete replacement. Resurfacing gives you the best bang for your buck.
Durability
Patching a driveway is a temporary fix. Even if you fill a small crack, water will eventually seep in between the new patch filler and the old asphalt, eroding the asphalt and widening the crack. Patching can help avoid replacing a driveway for two to three years.
Resurfacing the driveway, although more expensive, adds several years to the life of an existing driveway. You’ll get five to 10 more years out of the driveway if you resurface it and follow up with regular maintenance.
Completely replacing a driveway means the new driveway should last 15 to 20 years.
Most durable: In terms of durability, replacing a driveway is the best option. But regardless of whether you patch, resurface, or replace, you’ll need to keep up with maintenance to keep your driveway looking and performing its best.
DIY or Pro
You can pretty easily DIY a patching job; just be sure you are adding patch filler to narrow cracks rather than trying to patch potholes.
You’ll need to hire a local driveway repair professional for both resurfacing and replacing a driveway. The pros can properly assess the damage and make the repairs. If you attempt repairing or replacing a driveway yourself, you could cause more damage.
Best for DIY: Patching is the only driveway option that you should DIY.
Maintenance Best Practices for Your Driveway
Whether you decide to patch the cracks or replace the entire driveway, maintenance is key to helping your driveway last a couple of decades.
Patch cracks as soon as you notice them and before they become too wide or deep.
Reseal your driveway every three to five years.
Shovel snow instead of salting the driveway, which can cause driveways to crack.
Pressure wash your driveway every six months to one year. If you notice fluid stains, like oil from a car, clean those immediately.
