A paved driveway is one of the features that enhance a Brooksville rental property’s curb appeal. But if your rental’s paved driveway is starting to deteriorate, you may be thinking about repairing or even fully replacing it. While every situation is different, knowing the pros and cons of the different driveway options can give you more confidence when the time to decide comes.
Determine Wear and Tear vs. Damage
First, you have to find out why your driveway looks a bit worse for wear. Do you see surface cracks and stains? Has the surface developed potholes? Or has natural erosion affected your rental’s driveway surface? Even something like a minor water pipe leak in the yard could erode the soil under a driveway, leading to breaks and holes. Depending on how damaged your driveway is, you might be able to resurface it, or, if it’s severely damaged, it may be time for the entire thing to be replaced.
Options for Replacement
One of the more budget-friendly driveway materials is asphalt. But unlike concrete, asphalt doesn’t last that long and in a few years, it will start to show signs of wear. Let’s say you catch the damage early, and it’s mostly on the surface. In that case, you may be able to add an extra layer to your existing driveway and restore its functionality and appearance. You may need to re-do the entire thing if the problems go deeper or affect the soil beneath the driveway. Spring or early fall is one the best times to repair or replace an asphalt driveway. Outside temperature is important since it plays a huge role in the quality of the asphalt as it’s laid down, so choose a time when extreme temperatures won’t be a problem. Also, be sure to select a professional paving company with quality guarantees. A botched asphalt job can damage your property values instead of increasing them!
Even if the up-front costs are typically higher, concrete driveways usually last longer. Over time, concrete will still show signs of wear and tear so decide when the time is right to address those issues that have developed over time. One of the main issues with concrete is cracking and flaking. A sign of surface integrity failure is when visible cracks start to form. For small cracks, repairing the surface may be a good temporary option. You can also refinish the entire surface to bring back a concrete driveway’s solid appearance.
Although, if there are drainage issues or cracks wider than a quarter-inch, a patch-up job won’t work. Water will keep seeping under the concrete, freezing, thawing, and destroying your driveway’s foundation. If you start to see wide cracks, uneven surfaces, pooling water, or other problems, it may be time to replace all or part of the driveway.
Obligation for Landlords
Finally, landlord-tenant laws in most places state that it is the property owner’s responsibility to maintain the property in a habitable condition. If the damage on your rental’s driveway is so severe that it is unsafe to walk or drive on, it is best to replace it. Holes and cracks can fill with ice and compromise the safety of your tenants. Potholes can damage their vehicles, and yours as well!
As you do with the rest of your property, you should also monitor the condition of your rental property’s driveway and listen to your tenant’s concerns so you can take appropriate action. The legal and financial risks of unattended unsafe conditions are not worth it.
Knowing when to repair or replace a rental’s driveway can be challenging. The good news is that you don’t need to make these important decisions by yourself. Instead, consider giving our Brooksville property managers a call. We can help you budget for larger repairs and renovations your property needs and even handle the project itself. To learn more, contact us online.
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