Signs That Your Driveway Needs to Be Sealed

Cracks

• Cracks occur in asphalt and concrete driveways for a number of reasons. Heavy traffic, such as large trucks and equipment, can cause these cracks. However, the most common cause of driveway cracks is when water seeps into the driveway material and freezes. This frozen water expands, pushing on the driveway material and causing cracks. Additionally, water that seeps into asphalt and concrete driveways saturates the materials, causing them to expand slightly. Drying of the driveway by the sun causes the material to contract and crack.

Bulging Driveways

• Bulging asphalt and concrete is a sure sign that you need to seal your driveway. These bulges are sometimes as large as 24 inches in diameter and manifest as humps with tiny hairline cracks in the driveway materials. These bulges happen when water freezes and forces the soil and driveway materials up. You will need to repair the damaged concrete before sealing.

Sinking Driveways

• Driveways that need sealing sometimes absorb large amounts of water through the driveway materials and into the soil beneath. Consequently, the soil beneath softens and the driveway sinks or collapses, which manifest as pot holes in the asphalt or tilted concrete sections in concrete driveways. Asphalt driveways having potholes are easier to repair and seal than concrete. If the concrete driveway has tilted to the point that it is hazardous to drive on, then the whole section must be repaired. Asphalt that has sunken needs only to be repaired in the damaged section and then sealed.

Fragile Materials

• Concrete and asphalt that have been exposed to the elements over a long period of time without being sealed break down and weaken. If your driveway is easily damaged by foot traffic or small traffic such as lawnmowers, then it may have had prolonged exposure to water. This can be reversed by allowing the driveway to completely dry, which will harden the asphalt or concrete materials beneath. Once the driveway dries, seal it as soon as possible to prevent further damage.