If you've decided to install an asphalt driveway, you may already know that it won't last forever. Many factors, including maintenance, local climate, the weight of your vehicles, and automobile spills can impact the lifespan of your driveway. Knowing when to perform repairs on your driveway is essential to extend the lifespan of the structure. Left alone, minor repair issues have the potential to cause major damage to your driveway, increasing the likelihood of getting it replaced sooner than you had expected.

Generally, you should take action when changes start to show in your driveway. Here are some common asphalt repair issues to watch out for.

Fading surface

A newly-installed asphalt driveway has a black colour. Over time, you'll see this colour get washed away. Asphalt driveways derive their characteristic colour from the asphalt cement present in the asphalt mix. The cement helps bind the sand and aggregate in the mix but also gives asphalt driveways their black look.

Over time, asphalt cement begins to wear off, revealing the colour of the sand and the aggregate. Don't ignore this change— it's a sign that your driveway may need repair.

Small cracks in the asphalt

After some time, you'll start to see hairline cracks form on the surface of your driveway. While these cracks might seem like nothing more than an eyesore, they shouldn't be left unattended. Cracks, no matter how small, will become larger over time and cause major structural damage to your driveway.

Having them fixed quickly can help avoid expensive asphalt repair. 

Presence of potholes in the asphalt

Most potholes form during the wintertime when water that has found its way into your driveway's sub-layers expands and contracts with the fluctuating temperatures, leaving voids behind. Having a few potholes in your asphalt pavement might not seem like a cause for alarm at first. But if left untreated, these depressions can ruin your entire driveway.

Using cold mix asphalt to patch the potholes and make your driveway level again can help slow down future damage to the paved structure.

In addition to routine maintenance of your asphalt driveway, timely asphalt repair is necessary to address problems that may shorten the lifespan of the pavement and ruin its initial aesthetics. That said, asphalt repair may not work in all situations. Depending on the extent of damage to your asphalt, you may need to resurface or replace the pavement. Consider talking to an asphalt contractor to explore your options and make the best decision for your needs.