When Are Driveway Cracks a Problem?

Are All Asphalt Cracks the Same?

Asphalt naturally expands and contracts with temperature swings, so some surface cracking is normal, especially on driveways more than a few years old. The real question is not whether your driveway has cracks.

It’s whether those cracks affect only the surface or point to something happening underneath. A crack that stays thin and stable season after season is very different from one that keeps spreading or spawning new cracks nearby.

Hairline Cracks Are Usually Just Cosmetic

Thin, shallow cracks, often called hairline cracks, typically come from normal aging and minor surface stress. They are rarely a structural concern on their own.

Left alone, though, they give water a way in, and water is what turns a small problem into a big one. Asphalt crack filling and sealcoating seal out moisture and are the cheapest way to add years to a driveway’s life. Ask our team today about residential asphalt maintenance and when it can benefit your property.

Alligator Cracking Means Something Deeper Is Wrong

A web of interconnected cracks that resembles alligator skin is a different situation entirely. Pavement experts call this alligator cracking, and it usually means the base underneath has weakened or the asphalt has been carrying more weight than it was built for.

This type of damage does not respond well to a simple patch. Sealcoating will not fix a failing base, and a section with alligator cracking often needs professional asphalt repair down to the base, or full replacement of that area.

How Illinois Winters Make Cracks Worse

Timing matters more than most homeowners realize. Water trapped in a crack expands by about 9 percent when it freezes, and Chicago-area driveways go through repeated freeze-thaw cycles every winter. Of course, in the warmer months, this doesn’t apply but it is something to be aware of so you can stay prepared.

That force is enough to turn a minor surface crack into a much larger one by spring. This is why fall is the best time to catch and seal small cracks, and why scheduling asphalt crack repair for spring is the next best window if winter already did its damage.

When Do I Call a Professional for Asphalt Cracks?

It’s time to call our local asphalt repair company when a crack shows any of the following signs:

• Wider than about a quarter inch
• An alligator or web-like pattern
• A noticeable height difference on either side
• Concentrated near downspouts or low spots where water pools

Our driveway paving professionals can tell you whether the fix is a simple seal, a targeted patch, or a full section repair. Just as important, they can tell you why the crack formed in the first place, so it does not come right back.