Updated January 23, 2023
If your home was built in the 1980s or earlier and still has its original driveway, you're likely getting to a point where you're seriously considering whether or not to replace the driveway.
There are many considerations that come into play when making this decision...
- Is your driveway cracking or crumbling badly?
- Do you have people that live in the home with an increased fall risk, or do those people visit your home frequently?
- Do you want to increase your home's curb appeal and overall value?
- Do you plan on moving and selling your home soon?
If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," it's likely time to replace your driveway.
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Driveway Is Cracking or Crumbling Badly
If your driveway is extensively cracked or crumbling, replacing it is typically your best option.
Wide and deep-set cracks that are uneven or settled on one side are rarely repairable and will only get worse.
In colder climates, frost can cause concrete to push up and become uneven, which is another cause for concern.
Concrete can also settle when the sub-grade is not properly leveled and prepared before the concrete is installed.
Learn more: Should You Repair or Replace Cracks in Your Concrete Driveway?
People With an Increased Fall Risk Live in the Home or Visit Often
If you have young children, elderly people, or people with disabilities that live in your home, accessibility and safety are of the utmost importance.
When a driveway becomes cracked and uneven, it creates a tripping hazard that can be extremely dangerous.
Replacing your driveway with a new, smooth version will instantly increase the safety and accessibility of your driveway and overall property.
You Want to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal and Overall Value
The exterior of your home is what you see every time you come or go from your home, it's what your neighbors see when they look out their front window, and what others see when they pass by.
Improving the outside of your home, like replacing an old, crumbling driveway, can greatly improve your home's curb appeal and increase the overall value of your property.
In addition to the financial side of things, driving up and down a smooth, attractive driveway everyday is much more enjoyable than dealing with the unsightly appearance and bumpy texture of an old, ugly driveway.
You Plan on Selling Your Home Soon
As we mentioned, replacing your driveway improves your curb appeal, which is desirable if you're considering selling your home in the near future.
With the housing market where it is, you may not be considering moving in the immediate future, but replacing your driveway now could be beneficial.
Replacing your driveway in the late fall or winter is actually a great time to get this project done, as this is typically the cheapest time of year to do so.
This is because when the weather is cooler, there is typically less demand for paving services.
When replacing a driveway, it is important to choose a reputable contractor.
Hometown makes it easy to get multiple free, no-obligation quotes from local driveway replacement contractors. We recommend getting multiple quotes and comparing services and prices before making your final decision.