As soon as your driveway begins cracking, fading, or chipping away, the thought going through your mind is: Should I resurface it or replace it completely? They both solve various problems, yet the correct choice will be determined by the state of your driveway, your available budget, and the duration you wish your solution to be.
Homeowners in Melbourne and other surrounding regions, such as Rye, normally face the same issue: road base damage, overloading of vehicles, bad weather conditions, and old asphalt. This guide will help you understand all that you have to know in order to make a good decision about your property.
Now, we should talk as ordinary, ordinary people and unravel this down into a simple and useful manner.
Resurfacing is a driveway that entails a layer of asphalt over the surface. Imagine that you are re-skinning your driveway without re-structuring it.
Resurfacing works well when: it is still a strong and stable base. Cracks are small or moderate, and the surface appears smooth but not fractured. You desire a clean, slick appearance without spending the money on a change.
In case you have a driveway that is not yet ravaged and is exhibiting signs of wear and tear, then resurfacing driveway solutions can save you time, money, and stress.
Replacement involves the removal of the complete current driveway base and replacement with a new road base and asphalt.
The ideas to think about replacement include:
When your driveway is disintegrating, nothing can resurface it forever, as it should be replaced.
Resurfacing: Reduced driveway price.
Replacement: Higher because it will involve excavation, a new base, and laying of full asphalt.
Resurfacing: 1 day.
Replacement: 3–7 days.
Resurfacing: 8–15 years.
Replacement: 20–30 years.
Resurfacing: Cracks on the surface, old, cosmetic repairs.
Replacement: Sinking, deep destruction, structural problems, heavy-weight properties.
The climate of Melbourne is such that it experiences frequent changes of temperature, sudden rainfalls, extreme heat during summers, and asphalt swells and shrinks. Over time, this leads to cracks, oxidation, weakening of the top layer, and water damage.
Surfacing the driveway provides a new protective coat in case of surface damage, which prevents the older layer of the surface from absorbing heat and water.
The water might have already penetrated deep under the asphalt and destroyed the base, especially on the old homes, and you will have to replace it entirely. Resurfacing will not correct drainage problems.
Small cracks resembling lines or spiderwebs are typical and can be treated through resurfacing.
Whenever the asphalt becomes greyish in colour due to the loss of its black colour, a fresh new appearance is brought back through the resurfacing.
Minor irregularities are addressed through the process of resurfacing.
In the event that there is no soft or sinking part, resurfacing is sufficient.
These cracks signify that the base has moved, and there will be no solution by refurbishing it.
In the event that your driveway is either bumpy or squishy as you walk or drive over it, the foundation is in bad shape.
A new base and new asphalt will be necessary in case potholes continue to reappear despite the fixes.
In case your driveway is between 20 and 30 years old, it would be wiser to invest in the replacement over the long term.
It uses less material and labour, and does not involve any excavation.
You're paying for:
Short term: resurfacing is a cost-saving measure. Long term: replacement is more lasting, and it avoids repeated repair.
Melbourne homes often face:
In case your property has drainage problems, bad soil, or a series of potholes, replacement guarantees the long-term solution.
Your driveway is aged, yet it is not worn out.
You would like a fast and cheap solution.
You require 8-15 years of life expectancy.
The base is damaged.
There are large cracks or potholes.
You prefer maximum decades of use.
Each Melbourne property is unique, particularly in places such as Rye, where there is a difference in soil type and exposure to the weather. A decision is easier and more precise when done on a site.
Which is better to use, resurfacing the driveway or replacement? It is not a difficult decision when you are aware of the signs to look for. In the case of fine structure, resurfacing is cost-efficient, quick, and efficient. When your driveway is crumbling, there is no other long-term solution than substitution.
The right choice gives you:
When the driveway of your home in Melbourne or Rye has cracks, an uneven surface, or signs of old age, there is no better time to carry out a professional evaluation. Seek professional advice on the correct solution to use, be it resurfacing or replacement, before simple problems turn into a costly repair.
Yes. Resurfacing is also much cheaper since it takes advantage of the old base and only a new layer of asphalt is applied.
A resurfaced driveway has an average life of 8-15 years, depending on the weather, traffic, and care.
In case the cracks are structural or deep, the resurfacing will not help. You can require repairs or a complete replacement.
