Home maintenance is a full-time job. There always seems to be another aspect to renovate or repair from the elements, be it giving your lawn new fertilizer or checking a leak in your roof. Many homeowners are finding themselves turning to concrete repairs as their next project, particularly during the colder seasons, to renovate their driveway or sidewalk. Cracks, holes and uneven coatings can build up over time and cause a lot of frustration. Due to the nature of concrete repairs, however, many aren’t sure who to turn to when they have a pothole that needs filling or a few inches to add to their driveway’s slope. Below is a quick and simple list to help get you started as soon as possible.
Asphalt Paving In America
Let’s start off with a little perspective. Thanks to the massive population and varied weather patterns, there’s always a need for concrete repairs in the United States. It’s estimated there are nearly three million miles of paved roads across the country, with over 90% surfaced with asphalt. This adds up to approximately 18 billion tons of asphalt overall, making it the most popular surface component by a (literal!) mile.
Benefits Of Concrete Repairs
So, what are the benefits of installing a new asphalt driveway? Like any homeowner you’ll want to spend your money as wisely as possible. There are nearly 3,500 asphalt mix production sites operating throughout the United States, producing hundreds of millions of material every year on the year. Uneven foundations and holes in your driveway can seem like a minor nuisance when you’re driving to work or school, but these can add up to big problems for your tires if not properly checked — they can cause damage to the rubber, sending you to the car repair shop sooner than you’d like. If you’re concerned about how environmentally safe this can be, rest assured the nature of pavement means it’s easy to recycle and reuse.
Going Green
There’s no need to worry about your effect on the environment when seeking out a driveway contractor. The year 2013 saw a stunning 68 million tons of asphalt material reclaimed, with nearly 100% of it reused — this material is made out of a combination of cement, sand and stone. Asphalt can crack and crumble during the colder seasons due to its interaction with ice, making winter one of the most volatile seasons for homeowners.
Staying Colorful
Last, but not least, you can improve the appearance of your home while simultaneously repairing damage to your foundation. While this can vary depending on the company, colored concrete is generally available in as many as 250 different hues and shades. You can mix these colors to create any combination you want to see on top of different textures, to better give your home the pizzazz you’ve always dreamed of. With an eco-friendly bent and plenty of benefits on your vehicle of choice, it’s not hard to see why more and more homeowners are seeking out concrete repairs.
Installing A New Driveway
You’ll want to keep in mind a few dimensions for your driveway before calling for a repair job. The average width for a one-car drive, for example, is eight to nine feet. A two-car driveway, on the other hand, can be as wide as 15 to 18 feet. The final pavement job should slope at least one-fourth inch per foot to ensure less stress on your tires. If properly installed and maintained, your driveway can last as long as 25 years on average. Talk about bang for your buck! Calling for concrete repairs is as simple as getting in touch with your local contractors and asking them about their driveway specials.
