Why Ignoring Driveway Repair Costs You More

You're starting to notice cracks in your concrete driveway. You suspect that the expansion joints need a new coat of sealant. You're missing a few pavers after flooding caused deterioration.

The only problem is that you don't feel like spending money right now. Is it a good financial decision to put off driveway repair?

The short answer is no. The cost of driveway repairs will go up the worse the damage gets, and you may find yourself covering unexpected expenses in the meantime.

Want to know more? Read on as we talk about the benefits of timely driveway repair from a trusted contractor and why ignoring driveway damage can cost you.

Increasing Driveway Damage

Driveways are designed to be self-protective. For example, we build expansion joints into paved driveways to allow concrete to expand and contract with the changing temperatures. We seal those expansion joints to prevent water damage and weathering.

Think of driveway damage as a glitch in the system. Something as seemingly small as a crack in the asphalt can expand with every freeze-thaw cycle. Before you know it, the damage is spreading.

It follows that as the damage gets worse, the cost of driveway repairs goes up. The faster you act, the more damage you prevent, and the less you pay.

Decreased Property Value

According to Fast Expert, a well-maintained driveway can increase your property value by up to $10,000. Any damage to your driveway is going to reduce that property value boost for a variety of reasons.

For starters, driveway damage has a negative impact on curb appeal. Your home's exterior makes a lasting first impression on buyers. Things like driveway stains or potholes will send the message that home maintenance has gone by the wayside, even if your interior is in great shape.

Buyers are also thinking about long-term costs when deciding if they're willing to make an offer. If they know they're going to inherit driveway damage, they're probably going to push for a price drop or seller concessions.

Auto Damage

There are a lot of hidden costs of unrepaired driveway damage. If you park on or drive over your driveway, one hidden cost is auto damage.

For example, imagine that a crack in your driveway becomes a pothole, even a small one. If you drive over that pothole, you run the risk of damaging your tires.

What if your driveway damage isn't quite so surface-level? If your driveway is sinking or damaged to the extent that it's uneven, you could find yourself dealing with misalignments and even cracks in your car's frame.

Safety Risks and Liabilities

Here in Texas, homeowners need to think about something Enjuris calls premises liability. The basics of premises liability are that you can be held liable if:

• You invite someone onto your property and don't warn them about known damage

• They get injured because of that damage

• Their injuries result in financial strain

When it comes to driveway damage, the biggest concern is that a visitor will trip and fall. If that occurs, your visitor could hold you liable for any associated expenses. What started as a few hundred dollars' worth of driveway damage could become thousands of dollars in hospital bills and damages.

Foundation Damage

Remember how we mentioned earlier that driveways are designed to be self-protective? In addition to preventing driveway damage, a well-built and well-maintained driveway can also protect your house.

Without damage, driveways will help divert water away from your home. Once you're dealing with cracks in the concrete or deterioration of expansion joint seals, water becomes a bigger threat to your home.

Once water can seep through your driveway and into the soil, you can start to see rapid erosion. This, in turn, can put pressure on your foundation, causing cracks. Foundation damage has a much bigger ripple effect than driveway damage and can lead to far higher costs.

Loss of Insurance Coverage

Depending on the cause of your driveway damage, you may qualify for insurance coverage. House Digest reports that while insurance may cover damage caused by sudden and unexpected events, it won't cover wear and tear.

In other words, you might qualify for coverage if a tree falls during a storm and cracks your pavers. However, if you let that damage sit for months and it starts to get worse, your insurance will probably deny your claim.

If you plan to use insurance to cover professional driveway repair services, you need to act fast. That means filing your claim and getting an estimate from a company like Gray Horse Paving right away.

When Driveway Repair Becomes Driveway Replacement

One of the biggest ways to inflate the cost of driveway repairs is to neglect damage until repairs aren't enough. Here are a few of the signs that you need driveway replacement rather than driveway repair.

Significant Damage

It's easy to seal up minor cracks or replace a few damaged pavers. However, if your driveway damage is too widespread, it may not be cost-effective to make repairs. Your contractor should walk you through both options and their estimates so you can make an informed choice.

Age of Driveway

Concrete and asphalt can last for a long time, especially when you commit to maintenance. That said, even the best-maintained driveway will have a shelf life. If your driveway is more than 20 years old, consider replacement over repairs.

Original Installation Quality

Craftsmanship is just as important as materials when it comes to residential driveways. If your original contractor made mistakes during the installation process, don't keep turning to them for repairs. Hire a trustworthy company like Gray Horse Paving to start from scratch.

Get Quality Driveway Repair from Gray Horse Paving

You're in need of driveway repair but you want to make the choice that's best for your wallet. One of our best driveway maintenance tips is to act fast when you notice damage. As you can see, it's the best financial decision you can make.

Looking for expert driveway repair and installation in Houston, TX? Gray Horse Paving was co-founded by an engineer and a construction superintendent, and we deliver expert service combined with excellent planning. Contact us and let us know how we can help.