Maintenance the secret to dealing with asphalt, concrete problems, contractors say

Published: Saturday, March 22, 2014, 6:12p.m. Updated 17 hours ago

Winter finally has faded into spring technically, at least but the unrelenting cold of the past few months has left scars on many driveways and other outdoor hard surfaces.

If cracks and uneven surfaces are visible, don't expect the problem to go away.

If you see something now, it will never get better, said Peter Morelli of Bruno Morelli Concrete in Gibsonia.

T. Carter Ross, a spokesman for the National Asphalt Pavement Association, agreed, noting that the secret to dealing with asphalt and concrete problems is maintenance.

Hints of problems a small crack, an area in the driveway that holds water instead of letting it drain into dirt around it can be corrected, pavement contractors say.

Ryan Longaway of Asturi Contracting in Monroeville said those issues can sometimes be addressed with French drains, which are less-expensive solution than ripping up all or sections of driveways.

Driveways with small cracks can be patched and sealed, said Tim Breyer from T&H Paving in Greensburg. But larger cracks have made a route into the substrata below. The crack is a place where the freeze-thaw cycle can lead to more damage.

You can only go so far with sealing, he said. If it looks good, sealing is fine, but you might need to do more work.

Morelli said a critical issue in concrete installation is the proper use of reinforcement bars better known as rebar and wire mesh under the concrete. The bars hold slabs together while the mesh helps to provide an even surface below them.

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Maintenance the secret to dealing with asphalt, concrete problems, contractors say