Your home's driveway is one of its most visible elements but also one of its most practical. Unless you live in an area where you rarely have to drive, you probably use your driveway at least once daily. A pockmarked and potholed driveway is unattractive, and it can also be frustrating to drive over and could potentially damage your vehicles.
Unfortunately, severe pothole problems can sneak up on many homeowners. It's easy to ignore a minor dip here or there, but those seemingly tiny inconsistencies in your driveway can quickly turn into much larger problems. If you have one or more potholes in your driveway, here are three reasons you should repair them as soon as possible.
1. Vehicle Damage
Hitting a pothole at high speed on the highway can cause significant and catastrophic damage, but slowly rolling over holes in your driveway isn't great for your car. While you're unlikely to blow out your shocks or dent a control arm, you are placing a substantial amount of wear on parts of your suspension and steering system.
Driving over these same divots day in and day out can cause your car's suspension to wear more quickly, making costly maintenance tasks more common than they would otherwise be. If traveling over your driveway feels like traveling down a dirt road, you'll be doing your car a huge favor by repairing those problems.
2. Accelerating Wear
What do all driveway repair and failure issues have in common? There's a simple answer: water. Driveway issues typically begin when water infiltrates under the asphalt surface, allowing it to penetrate to the base and grade layers. This water can cause the foundation of your driveway to shift or, as the seasons roll by, cause damaging frost heaves.
Potholes provide another avenue for water to seep below the surface of your driveway. A seemingly minor pothole creates a gap in your driveway's "armor," ultimately leading to more damage and more costly problems. Ignoring the issue can cause your driveway to fail entirely sooner than you might expect.
3. Drainage Issues
Your driveway is a critical part of your property's overall drainage system and helps direct water away from your home and landscaping. Potholes in your driveway provide a location for water to pool, affecting drainage and creating the potential for standing water. Ultimately, standing water can lead to mold growth, mosquito issues, and other problems.
Although a pothole here or there might not seem like a big deal, they can have serious long-term consequences for your home and vehicles. Repairing potholes when you notice them is the best way to avoid these issues and ensure a long and healthy life for your driveway.
Reach out to a company like GMG General, Inc. for more information.
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