An Outdoor Oasis

Grass may seem weaker than asphalt, but its creeping roots can force apart paving and crumble the asphalt. Within a relatively short time, grass can cause a lot of damage. Determining the cause of the grass incursion and eliminating it can prolong the service life of your driveway.

1. Thin Base Layer

If a thin base is a problem, grass issues may begin to surface within a short time of installation of a new driveway. Grass seed beneath the driveway can germinate and grow through a thin gravel base layer, particularly if it isn't compacted well. The grass may not survive initially, but its first spurt of growth can destabilize the paving so that cracks open to allow more grass through. Rebuilding the driveway is needed to fix this.

2. Weak Edges

Crumbling asphalt edges are common on driveways, and that crumbling edge gives entrance to grass incursions. Older driveways are most susceptible since their edges have likely weakened over time. New drives can also be prone if the gravel base doesn't extend beyond the edge of the asphalt and if the edge isn't beveled to reduce crumbling. Fortunately, edges can be rebuilt without the need to replace the entire drive, thus solving the issue.

3. Deep Potholes

Although a pothole doesn't have to be deep to attract grass growth, deeper potholes are more likely to be overtaken. A deep pothole is one that penetrates through the asphalt and into the gravel base, which means grass roots can also penetrate more deeply into the ground to establish. The best solution is prevention — have potholes professionally patched as soon as you notice them. Sealing the driveway every few years can also reduce the likelihood of pothole formation. 

4. Cracks and Chips

A crack or chip in the paving doesn't have to be deep for weedy growth to begin. It just has to provide enough room for a bit of soil and a seed to collect inside. Once something germinates, the roots will further enlarge the crack and the problem will get worse. A repair service can clean out cracks and chips and then fill them in with an asphalt filler for a quick repair. 

5. Border Stress

If grass butts right up against the side of your driveway, then incursions into the edges of the paving are more likely. Over time the grass roots and weathering will wear away at the edges so that the grass can begin growing over the top of the paving, breaking it down to allow for further grass growth. Leaving a grass-free border strip along the edge of the paving helps. This strip can be made of decorative brick or it can be a cleared area planted with flowers.

Contact an asphalt driveway repair service such as DRIVEWAY SEALING CALL FRANK if grass is invading your drive.