Inspect Driveway and Walkways
Why It Matters
Small cracks grow into big ones when water freezes inside them. Early patching extends pavement life by years.
Quick Guide
- 1
Gather your tools and materials
You'll need: basic tools. Materials required: necessary materials.
- 2
Perform the inspect driveway and walkways
Check concrete and asphalt for cracks, heaving, and trip hazards. Plan repairs for any significant issues.
- 3
Verify and clean up
Check that the work was completed correctly and clean up your workspace. If significant heaving, large cracks, or settling, consider calling a professional.
Community Tips
Spring thaw creates the most visible damage window—frost heave pushes asphalt up while snow melt infiltrates cracks, accelerating deterioration by 40% compared to summer inspections. Schedule driveway inspections in early March before repairs become urgent and contractors' schedules fill.
A concrete crack gauge or ruler identifies repair thresholds accurately; cracks wider than 1/4 inch require professional filling rather than DIY sealant, but cracks under 1/4 inch respond well to Sakrete Concrete Crack Sealant ($8-12), which expands and contracts with freeze-thaw cycles.
Standing water pooling on driveways or walkways signals drainage failure underneath—ignoring this for even one season allows water to compromise the base layer, turning a $50 seal-coating job into a $2,000+ replacement. Test drainage by hosing down the surface and observing water movement patterns. ---