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Should I Repair or Replace My Driveway?

Driveway Being Installed at a Twinsburg RentalOne of the best ways to enhance a Twinsburg rental property’s curb appeal is by having a paved driveway. However, if your rental’s paved driveway is showing signs of deterioration, you may wonder whether it is time for a repair or to even fully replace it. While every situation is different, knowing the pros and cons of the different driveway options can give you more confidence when the time to decide comes.

Determine Wear and Tear vs. Damage

First, it’s necessary to determine why your driveway looks a little worse for wear. Have cracks, stains, or potholes developed on the surface? Or has natural erosion damaged your rental’s driveway surface? Something as small as a water pipe leak in the yard may erode the soil under a driveway, leading to breaks and holes. Depending on how damaged your driveway is, you might be able to resurface it, or, if it’s severely damaged, it may be time for the entire thing to be replaced.

Options for Replacement

One of the more budget-friendly driveway materials is asphalt. But unlike concrete, asphalt doesn’t last that long and in a few years, it will start to show signs of wear. Let’s say you catch the damage early, and it’s mostly on the surface. In that case, you may be able to add an extra layer to your existing driveway and restore its functionality and appearance. But if the problem is worse or affects the soil underneath the driveway, you may need to replace the entire thing.

The best time to repair or replace an asphalt driveway is spring or early fall. Outside temperature is important since it plays a huge role in the quality of the asphalt as it’s laid down, so choose a time when extreme temperatures won’t be a problem. Also, be sure to select a professional paving company with quality guarantees. A botched asphalt job can damage your property values instead of increasing them!

Although up-front costs are usually higher, concrete driveways generally last longer. Over time, concrete will still show signs of wear and tear so decide when the time is right to address those issues that have developed over time. One of the major problems with concrete is cracking and flaking. A sign of surface integrity failure is when visible cracks start to form. The small cracks on the surface may be good, but temporary repairs can only for so long. You can bring back the concrete driveway’s solid appearance by refinishing the surface.

However, a patch job won’t work if you have drainage issues or cracks wider than a quarter-inch. The water that seeps under the concrete will freeze and thaw, further destroying your driveway’s foundation. It’s probably time to replace all or part of your driveway if you start to notice issues like wide cracks, uneven surfaces, or pooling water.

Obligation for Landlords

Lastly, in most areas, landlord-tenant laws state that it’s a property owner’s responsibility to maintain the property in a habitable condition. If your rental’s driveway is very damaged that it becomes unsafe to walk or drive on, it’s time to replace it. Holes and cracks can be filled with ice and may be a safety hazard for your tenants, while potholes can ruin their vehicles, and yours too!

As you do with the rest of your property, you should also monitor the condition of your rental property’s driveway and listen to your tenant’s concerns so you can take appropriate action. The legal and financial risks of unattended unsafe conditions are not worth it.

Knowing when to repair or replace a rental’s driveway can be challenging. Though the good news is that you don’t need to make important decisions like these by yourself. Instead, consider giving our Twinsburg property managers a call. We can help you budget for larger repairs and renovations your property needs and even handle the project itself. To learn more, contact us online.

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