Driveway Repair
Even a brand new driveway will need regular maintenance in order to get many years of quality use out of it. A driveway that is not properly maintained will start to crack and crumble. So how do you keep that from happening? Resurfacing should be done approximately every 3 years to keep the driveway from crumbling and cracking.
If your driveway is already over 15 years old and has lost a lot of its structure, it should be completely replaced with new asphalt. Wright Construction can help you with all kinds of driveway repair services, including crack repair, resurfacing and more. We can diagnose what type of repair your driveway needs and do the necessary work to get it back into good shape.
Driveway Resurfacing
If your asphalt driveway is still in decent shape, resurfacing can be done with good results. A contractor will need to patch cracks and holes in the existing drive first. The repairs will then have to be compacted to keep the patchwork from settling. Next, the surface will be cleaned and a tack coat will need to be applied before applying the new asphalt. The new coat should be approximately 2 inches thick and should be allowed to set for 2 or 3 days before driving on it.
Installing a New Asphalt Driveway
Before any asphalt is poured for a new drive, the surface will need to be prepared. It will have to be leveled and packed. Some contractors put a 6 inch thick base of gravel down before pouring the asphalt. This saves money on asphalt since it is not poured as thick. A good quality driveway will last longer if the gravel is not used and a thicker coat of asphalt is poured. It is best to pour a 4-inch thick layer of asphalt and pack it, then add another 4 inches on top of it. The asphalt should be given time to cure before applying a sealer coat, which can take close to a year.
Concrete Driveway Installation
A concrete driveway needs to have the surface prepared the same as an asphalt drive. It will need a base of gravel before the concrete is poured. A concrete drive is a good choice if you live in a hot climate since it will be more prone to damage during constant freezing and thawing.
Driveway Crack Repair
Whether you have cracks in an asphalt driveway or a concrete driveway, we can take care of repairing it and filling in those cracks with as little hassle as possible for you.
Repairing cracks in an asphalt driveway is relatively easy. There are special products on the market that fill and seal cracks. Once the repair is made, it does a good job of blending in with the rest of the drive.
Repairing cracks in a concrete drive is also very simple with a new type of concrete caulking. A large crack or hole will need a concrete mixture for effective repair.
Planning Your New Driveway
A driveway should be 14 feet wide for each lane poured. This will give plenty of space for parking the vehicles while leaving room for opening doors and pedestrian traffic.
Which type of driveway material should you choose? There are pros and cons to each. Asphalt has more flex than concrete, so winter freezing is not so hard on it. It also hides oil stains better than concrete. However, gasoline leaks can damage asphalt while having a minimal effect on concrete. Water should not be allowed to pool and puddle, since it can cause damage to both types of drives.
A driveway should be cleaned on a regular basis to move rocks and other debris. The weight of vehicles rolling over these can push them into the driveway, which can start the formations of cracks. A driveway should be sealed every 3 to 5 years to help protect it from the elements. A properly maintained driveway will last for many years without major repairs.
Contact Wright Construction today for all your driveway repair or installation needs! We serve the areas of Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Birmingham.