When you have a paved driveway, you can enhance your Boise rental property’s curb appeal. But if your rental’s paved driveway is deteriorating, you could be wondering if it is time to repair or fully replace it. Even if every situation is different, by learning about your driveway’s options you can be more confident in deciding what to do next when the time comes.
Determine Wear and Tear vs. Damage
First, you have to determine why your driveway looks worn out. Have cracks, stains, or potholes developed on the surface? Or has natural erosion damaged your rental’s driveway surface? Something as small as a water pipe leak in the yard could weaken the soil under a driveway, then lead to breaks, holes – and a major eyesore. Depending on the damage on your driveway, you may be able to resurface it, or, if the damage is too bad, replace the entire thing.
Options for Replacement
One of the more budget-friendly driveway materials is asphalt. However, asphalt starts to show significant wear after a few years and doesn’t really last as long as concrete. You might be able to catch the damage early, and it’s mostly on the surface. If this is the case, you could just add another layer to your existing driveway to 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 the best time for replacing or repairing an asphalt driveway. Since outside temperatures greatly affect the quality of the asphalt as it is laid down, it is important to do it at a time when extreme temperatures won’t be an issue. 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 though the up-front costs are usually 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 major problems with concrete is cracking and flaking. When you start seeing visible cracks form, that is a sign that the surface integrity is failing. 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.
However, if there are drainage issues or cracks wider than a quarter-inch, a patch job won’t be enough. Water will continue to seep under the concrete and wreak havoc on your driveway’s foundation with the constant freezing and thawing. Wide cracks, uneven surfaces, pooling water, and similar issues are signs that it might be time to replace all or part of the driveway.
Obligation for Landlords
Lastly, in most areas, landlord-tenant laws state that it’s a property owner’s responsibility to maintain the property in a habitable condition. If your rental’s driveway is too damaged that it’s dangerous to walk or drive on, it is finally time to replace it. Ice can fill in holes and cracks and can become safety hazards for your tenants. Their vehicles can be damaged by potholes as well!
Along with the rest of the property, it is crucial to carefully monitor the condition of your rental property’s driveway, listen to your tenant’s concerns, and take action properly. Not attending to unsafe conditions is not worth the legal and financial risks.
Knowing when to repair or replace a rental’s driveway can be challenging. Though the good news is that you don’t need to make important decisions like these by yourself. Instead, consider giving our Boise 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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