Curb appeal is king when it comes to your home's value. The landscaping, lawn, roof, and siding are all parts of your home's curb appeal. The driveway is also a key part of your home's first impression, but it can also be a major eyesore because of all the stress and abuse it experiences. Parking vehicles and lawn care equipment, playing basketball, and even storing utility trailers and landscaping supplies can all discolor, crack, and deteriorate your concrete driveway. In addition, constant exposure to the sun, hot and cold temperatures, and precipitation will affect the concrete's look and stability.

You may think resurfacing your driveway is the best option for restoring it back to an appealing state. However, resurfacing does not repair underlying issues that are big causes for concern. Here are a few signs you should remove and replace your old concrete driveway.

Large Cracks

It is common to find cracks in your concrete driveway, especially after a few years. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain or wintry precipitation, your driveway is even more likely to develop cracks because of the constant exposure to moisture.

Small cracks can be repaired and repairing them by applying caulk, sand, or filler is important to reduce the risk of the cracks expanding. However, some cracks cannot be repaired because they are too wide and long.

If you do try to fill and seal these larger, longer cracks, the repair will not last very long. This can be compared to placing a bandage on a deep wound. Basically, a more involved repair is necessary.

If you have multiple cracks that are long and wide across your driveway, consider removing the old concrete and replacing with an entirely new driveway. While a more expensive project than caulking or sealing cracks, the replacement will be a better investment for your home.

Potholes

Potholes may be more common on roads and highways, but they can also form in your concrete driveway.

In most cases, potholes form when the ground under the driveway expands and contracts. This movement causes the concrete surface to weaken in areas, cracking and crumbling to the point where an actual hole is formed.

Filling a pothole is possible, just like filling a crack is possible. If you have multiple potholes and cracks across the concrete surface, starting fresh with a completely new driveway will be a more efficient and cost-effective option for your home.

It is important to remember that potholes are not only unattractive. Driving over these holes can affect your vehicle's shocks and underbody. Also, riding a bike, playing, and walking on a driveway with potholes can be dangerous.

Age

You may be surprised to learn concrete driveways are not meant to last forever. Plus, it does not matter how well it was installed and maintained since the concrete and underlying surface will eventually deteriorate.

On average, a concrete driveway has a lifespan of around 30 years. The first signs of distress may be cracking and the development of potholes. You may also notice some slight discoloration due to weathering. Removing this type of discoloration with pressure washing and cleaning chemicals is not always possible.

If your driveway is experiencing cosmetic issues like cracks, holes, and staining and it is approaching or past the estimated life expectancy, it is time to consider a replacement.

Improving your home's curb appeal may require multiple projects, but replacing an old, worn, and damaged driveway is a great place to start. If you are noticing one or more of the above signs, it is most likely time to invest in concrete removal services from a place like Hardcore Concrete Cutting.