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Asphalt Driveway Replacement in Montgomery, AL
Some driveways are beyond patching. When the base has failed, the right fix is to remove the old pavement and build it again properly. Here is how to tell, and what the process looks like.
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Signs You Need Replacement, Not Repair
- Alligator cracking. A web of small interconnected cracks that looks like reptile skin. It usually means the base has failed under the asphalt.
- Deep ruts and sunken areas. Wheel paths that dip or areas that sank point to base or subgrade movement.
- Many potholes. A few patches are normal. A driveway full of potholes is losing its structure.
- Cracks that keep returning. If filled cracks reopen within a season or two, the movement below has not been addressed.
- Standing water. Water that sits on the surface after rain softens the base and speeds up failure.
- Crumbling edges across the board. Widespread edge failure signals poor support or drainage.
A company should walk the driveway, probe suspect areas and tell you what it found. Be wary of anyone who quotes without looking.
Why Driveways Fail
Most driveway failures start below the surface. The usual causes are a thin or missing stone base, soft or organic soil left under the pavement, poor drainage, tree roots, and overloading. In the Montgomery area, Alabama Extension notes that clayey Black Belt prairie soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, forming large cracks. Soil movement like that can break pavement from below.
Heat plays a part as well. Montgomery averages about 78 days a year at 90 degrees or hotter by the long-term normal, and asphalt oxidizes and stiffens over years of sun, becoming brittle and more prone to cracking. Age alone can end a driveway's life even if the base is fine.
If the same kind of failure happened to your last driveway, the new one needs a different plan. Ask the company what caused the failure and how the new base and drainage will prevent a repeat.
How a Replacement Works
- Inspection and plan. The company evaluates the old pavement, base, drainage and trees, and explains the planned thickness and layers.
- Demolition. The old asphalt is broken up and hauled off. Some companies recycle it, and some reuse reclaimed material as part of the base, so ask how it is handled.
- Subgrade work. The exposed soil is inspected, soft spots are removed and the subgrade is graded and compacted.
- New base. Crushed stone is installed in compacted layers.
- Asphalt placement and compaction. Hot mix is placed and rolled to the planned compacted thickness, with attention to joints and edges.
- Finish. Edges are supported, the apron and garage transitions are checked and the site is cleaned.
Replacement Planning Questions
- What failed on my driveway, and how will the new one avoid it?
- What will be removed, and what will be reused?
- What is the planned base and how deep will the preparation go?
- What compacted thickness will the asphalt be?
- How will drainage change, and where will the water go?
- How will you protect the yard, the sprinkler lines, the mailbox and the street edge?
- How long will the driveway be out of service?
Alternatives to Consider
If the driveway is old but the base is sound, resurfacing may be an option. If you want to enlarge the driveway while you are at it, read about extensions and widening. Our cost factors guide lists what moves the scope of a replacement, and you can request a quote when you are ready.
Be careful with any company that recommends a thin overlay on a driveway showing clear base failure. It may look good for a season, but the same cracks and ruts tend to come back through new pavement.
Common Questions
How do I know if my driveway needs replacement?
Alligator cracking, deep ruts, many potholes, cracks that keep returning and standing water are common signs that the base has failed. A company should inspect the driveway and explain what it found.
What happens to the old asphalt?
It is typically broken up and hauled away, and some companies recycle it or reuse reclaimed material in the base. Ask how your company handles it.
Will a new driveway fail the same way?
Not if the cause is addressed. Ask what caused the failure and how the new base and drainage will prevent it.
Nearby Communities
We route requests from Montgomery and the surrounding area. Pick your town, or see the full service area list.
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