Cracked Driveway: Why It Happens and What to Do

Asphalt and concrete are used in driveways because they are solid and durable materials. However, they can crack over time due to heat or heavy traffic.

There are many reasons why you might find yourself with a cracked driveway, and many different ways to fix the problem.

Whether you’re plagued with a small crack or giant pothole, let’s take a look at why the problem may be happening. 

Why Does It Happen?

Many things can cause cracks in your driveway. For instance, the asphalt or concrete may have been laid incorrectly, causing it to settle the wrong way over time.

Likewise, the cracks may be due to poor installation of a base or subbase. Some contractors will use an improper base and/or subbase to save money on materials or time, leading to problems down the road.

If left untreated, those small cracks can turn into potholes that are both unsafe for vehicles and unattractive.

Another cause of potholes or cracks in your driveway could be the temperature. If there is a drastic temperature change, your driveway can crack as the asphalt or concrete expands and contracts.

The final possible cause is water from heavy rains causing hydrostatic pressure on your driveway.

How to Fix Driveway Cracks

There are many ways you can fix your cracked driveway. You can fill in the cracks with tar, epoxy paste, or asphalt crack sealant. This process is long and brutal, and without proper training, potentially dangerous.

If you want to DIY asphalt driveway crack repair, rent a concrete grinder and use a chisel. You can also use a drill in conjunction with the chisel for larger cracks or holes. If this process seems like too much work on your own, an expert can help !

There are two options when it comes to driveway repairs: patching or resurfacing. If your driveway is in reasonably good shape and only has cracks or divots, you can patch the affected areas.

This process involves smearing a driveway crack filler (like tar, epoxy paste, etc.) over the area of damage to fill it up and make it look new again.

If your driveway needs more serious work, we recommend resurfacing it. This process is more intensive than patching, but repairing small cracks or divots can be done in just one day.

For all other driveway issues – whether you need repairs, resealing, crack fillers, or sealant application for your asphalt driveways – we have the ideal solution for you.

What Are the Results of Driveway Crack Repair?

The last step in repairing your driveway is applying a sealant to prevent or slow down future cracks. This sealant will dry in 24-48 hours and will be completely clear, leaving you with a driveway that looks brand new. 

The freshly colored driveway will improve the aesthetic of your home or business and also help protect your driveway from future damages.

Assess Your Cracked Driveway and Make a Decision

Cracks and damage to a concrete or asphalt driveway are a natural and common occurrence. Many people come home from work every day to a cracked driveway caused by wear and tear, improper installation, or weather. 

Professional repair companies provide these people with fast service with amazing results.

If you are unsure about the severity of damage or need more information, give our experts a call today or fill out our estimation form !  

21 Aug, 2023
The Air is Cooler and the Soil is Warmer With the cooler air temperatures, your plants stay relaxed, and it allows them to focus their energy underground to spread their roots. If the plant’s roots are growing and getting stronger, then they are more protected as the cooler soil comes and will allow them to grow bigger come springtime. Fewer Weeds and Pests Many plants and flowers flourishing in the springtime suffer due to the pests and weeds that grow quickly in the warmer weather. Many of these weeds and pests are hard to get rid of without hurting your plants. Planting in the fall eliminates a big majority of pests that would eat your plants and as a bonus, most weeds are starting to die as they don’t thrive in cooler conditions. Most Importantly, Less Watering! Have you ever forgotten to water your plants? There is no worse feeling than adding a bunch of plants to your yard, forgetting they need water and accidentally letting them die after all the hard work and/or money spent on the installation in the first place. Autumn brings dryer soil, which tends to be loosely packed making it perfect soil to plant in. The roots can flourish and coming off hurricane season means rain from the sky instead of using your own water. If you are interested in fall plantings, get a quote from us now! You can call us at 201-585-7137 or fill out your information on our "Contact Us" page!
17 Oct, 2022
DeCarlo Landscaping offers full winter snow plowing, removal and ice control for all of our customers. No matter what type of business you are running, from a large shopping center parking lot to a small office building parking lot we are ready to work for you throughout the upcoming winter season. We work with each of our clients individually and provide tailored services depending on our client’s needs. Each customer is involved with the initial planning so that our team knows what areas are to be cleared, what obstacles should be avoided and what the best deicing agent is for the particular property. Our top of the line commercial snow removal equipment helps us plow, haul and relocate snow. Our educated and experienced snow removal division is set up to handle any snow emergency that the New Jersey area experiences. Why DeCarlo Landscaping? • More than 40 years of experience in snow and ice removal in the New Jersey area • Operating in Bergen, Hudson, Union, Essex, Passaic counties • Tailored snow removal contracts with several pricing structures • Fully Insured and licensed • Professional and experienced snow removal teams with over 100 years of combined snow experience and training • Impeccable turnaround time • Fully serviced and top of the line snow removal equipment • Prompt efficient and effective service We would be happy to serve you through the upcoming winter season for all of your snow removal services. No task is overly large or too small for our snow removal division. If you are seeking a new contract for the 2022-2023 season or looking to replace a company that just isn’t doing the job you need, let us give you an estimate. With our tailored contracts and individualized service, you can bet that you will not be just another client on our list. Our existing clients acknowledge our commitment to safety and attention to specific details regarding their properties and complexes. Let us do the same for you!
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We’ve had record breaking heat lately and it’s clear that our plants are suffering. Whether it’s your grass, plants or trees, everything seems to be struggling to stay green. Here’s some of our best advice to keep your greenery fresh! Water, water, water! Watering is key to keeping anything healthy. How much water all depends on the plant. A good way to see how your plant is doing is to check the soil. In the case of a heat wave, try to give your plants lots of extra water! Heat causes the soil to get much hotter than usual, thus the water will evaporate at a quicker rate. When to water: The timing of watering your plants can be very effective in keeping them alive. Try watering your plants early in the morning or late at night when the soil is a little cooler, it will help the plants soak up the water as they need it instead of taking it all or getting none of it during the day when the suns heating everything up. What about wilted leaves? During a heat wave, it’s common to have parts of your plants start to die, wilt, and dry out. Don’t remove the wilted leaves yet! The sun may have burned the plant a little, but the wilted or dried out leaves can act as a shield for the next wave of heat. If the whole plant is drying out, we suggest trying to give it a little sun protection with a white sheet and a daily mist. With these tips, don’t forget the most important factor: every plant has different needs. Make sure to look up all needs for each plant, as some may need a little more TLC than others in this heat! Stay cool and don’t forget to self-hydrate to keep yourself safe in the heat!
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DeCarlo Landscaping offers planting of flowers and plants for all our commercial and residential customers. No matter what type of business you are running, from a large shopping center parking lot to a small office building parking lot we are ready to make your site look stunning. Did you know that flowers have a large amount of health benefits? The term “flower power” may have derived from the 60’s-70’s, but the meaning holds true today! Several research studies have been done to bring new meaning to the term. Flowers have the power to improve: • Creativity, innovation, and productivity • Mood and emotions • Emotional connections • Energy and memory No task is overly large or too small for our landscape design division. With experts with over 20+ years’ experience, we are ready to answer any questions and bring your property to life! Interested in sprucing up your property? We work with each of our clients individually and provide tailored services depending on our client’s needs. Each customer can meet with our foreman, or even send us pictures they’ve seen from the internet. Or, if you can’t decide, you can have one of our foremen stop by and suggest what’s best! You can contact us by filling out the “Contact Us” tab or give us a call at 201-585-7137.
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