Your driveway is more than just a place to park your car—it’s a significant investment that affects your property’s value, safety, and curb appeal. After 30 years in the asphalt business, I’ve seen countless driveways deteriorate prematurely because homeowners didn’t recognize the early warning signs of trouble. Let me share the five key indicators that your driveway needs professional attention before minor issues become major expenses.
1. Fading and Discoloration
One of the earliest and most visible signs that your driveway needs maintenance is color change. As I often tell homeowners, “Generally, you can see it wearing away. You’ll see areas that’s black and then areas that’s still gray and kind of spotty. When you start seeing those, it’s getting close to time.”
This discoloration happens because the oils in asphalt that give it that rich, dark appearance begin to oxidize from exposure to UV rays, oxygen, and water. Once your driveway starts taking on a grayish appearance, the protective elements are diminishing, and the asphalt is becoming more vulnerable to damage.
It’s important not to mistake normal aging for serious deterioration, however. For a detailed understanding of how asphalt ages and what constitutes normal versus problematic fading, visit our article on The Detailed Science Behind the Value of a Residential Driveway.
2. Cracking Patterns That Tell a Story
Different types of cracks indicate different problems, and knowing what you’re looking at can help you address issues before they worsen:
Alligator Cracks: These interconnected cracks that resemble an alligator’s skin often indicate a failing base layer beneath your asphalt. This is a serious structural issue.
Longitudinal Cracks: Long cracks that run parallel to the length of your driveway often result from improper joint construction or ground movement.
Transverse Cracks: These run across your driveway perpendicular to its length and typically result from thermal expansion and contraction.
Edge Cracks: Cracks along the edges of your driveway often indicate poor drainage or lack of edge support.
No matter what type of cracking you observe, remember that “if you have a small pothole, fix it, repair it sooner, it’s not going to get any better.” Addressing cracks early prevents water infiltration that can cause freeze-thaw damage and erosion of the base material. Our services page outlines the different repair options available depending on the type and extent of cracking.
3. Depressions and Drainage Issues
Proper drainage is essential for driveway longevity. If you notice water pooling on your driveway after rain rather than running off to the sides, you may have low spots developing.
“If you see something that’s a small depression that kind of looks like a swirling circle… you got water issues under that,” I explain to customers. These depressions don’t happen overnight—they’re warning signs of underlying problems that will only worsen with time.
In my experience, water management is one of the most critical aspects of driveway maintenance. “We’ve had situations where we went to cut out maybe a two by two area depression in a parking lot and end up being 60 feet long and 10 feet deep because there was a water line that ran under it.”
While residential driveways rarely have issues that extreme, even small drainage problems can lead to significant damage if left unaddressed. If you’re noticing any depressions or standing water, contact us for a professional assessment before the situation deteriorates further.
4. Surface Texture Changes
Run your hand over your driveway. Does it feel smooth and solid, or rough and gravelly? As asphalt ages, the binding agents begin to break down, and the aggregate (stone) becomes exposed. This “raveling” is a sign that your driveway’s surface integrity is compromised.
“A lot of companies just go and buy sealers, stick some water in it and off they go. We don’t do that,” I often explain when discussing how we address surface issues. “We have chemicals and additives that we put in there to make it dry blacker, make it dry quicker. We put a little bit of sand in for some grit, especially if you’re on a hill so you don’t slide out.”
This attention to detail is why our treatments last longer and provide better protection than standard applications. When evaluating your driveway’s texture, look for areas where aggregate is becoming loose or where the surface feels brittle. These are signs that protective sealant has worn away and the binding matrix of the asphalt is failing.
5. Edge Deterioration
The edges of your driveway are often the first to show damage because they lack the structural support of the center areas. If you notice crumbling edges, vegetation growing into the asphalt, or separation between your driveway and adjacent surfaces, these are red flags.
“The process by which you put that driveway in is the most critical. It’s not what you see on top. It’s what’s under the base under the concrete or the asphalt,” which is why edge issues often indicate more extensive problems with the driveway’s foundation or drainage systems.
Edge deterioration accelerates quickly once it begins, as each rainfall can wash away more of the exposed sub-base. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent the damage from spreading inward toward the main driveway surface.
Taking Action: The Right Time for Maintenance
One common mistake homeowners make is waiting too long for repairs or, conversely, applying treatments too frequently. “One of the problems that a lot of homeowners have is they redo it too soon. And if you put too much sealer on, the sealer itself will start cracking.”
The ideal maintenance schedule depends on your specific climate, usage patterns, and the original installation quality of your driveway. Generally, sealcoating should be applied every 2-3 years, but this can vary based on local conditions.
For most homeowners, the best approach is to have a professional evaluation to create a customized maintenance plan. “I feel that I owe that to the customer,” which is why we provide detailed assessments rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.
My journey in the asphalt business has taught me that education is key to helping homeowners protect their investments. You can read more about how I developed this customer-first philosophy in my interviews: From Bucket to Business Empire and From Childhood Passion to Driveway Expert.
The Value of Professional Assessment
While this guide can help you identify potential issues, nothing replaces a trained eye with decades of experience. What might look like a simple crack to an untrained observer could signal significant underlying problems to a professional.
Remember that maintaining your driveway is not just about aesthetics—it’s about protecting a significant investment in your property. When properly maintained, an asphalt driveway can last 20-30 years. Neglected, that lifespan can be cut in half. For more on how this impacts your property value, read our article on Two Ways a Well-Maintained Driveway Boosts Your Home’s Value.
“If you seal coat your driveway, keep it maintained, keep the cracks filled, don’t let the water in through the cracks to freeze and bust up the asphalt… it doubles the life of the asphalt in most situations.” This preventative approach saves you money in the long run by avoiding costly full replacements.
Jack Sherrill is the founder of J’s Driveways, specializing in residential asphalt maintenance throughout the Upper Cumberland region. With over 30 years of experience in the asphalt industry, Jack brings commercial-grade quality and attention to detail to residential driveways. Learn more about his three decades in the business in this Business Spotlight or visit our About page to meet the team.