How to spot driveway damage this summer — 4 red flags to look out for and how to fix them

The warmer weather is with us once more, meaning you may well be spending more time outside. While being able to enjoy the exterior spaces around your home feels like a treat after the gloomy weather that seems to have dominated just lately, it can also mean you become more aware of those areas that require a little TLC.

One of the first things people often notice once the gloom clears is that their once-perfect driveway ideas are not looking so hot. Driveways have to deal with all kinds of things – not least the fact that they must withstand the weight of vehicles and deal with all kinds of weather conditions, including heatwaves. For this reason, they do require a level of maintenance in order to ensure peak performance, as well as boosting the kerb appeal of a house.

While winter brings all kinds of challenges for driveways, so too does summer. And with another heatwave looming, I asked the experts for the signs of damage to be on the lookout for, what they mean and how to put them right.

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What are the main signs of driveway damage in summer?

Once the warmer weather hits, there are several summer home maintenance jobs that it can feel less daunting to tackle.

As you check your house for how it has fared over the winter, your driveway should be one area you pay particular attention to.

Daniel Wickham, owner of First Impression Driveways, explains the main signs of damage to be on the lookout for. 'The main signs that show driveway damage during summer include soft or scuffed tarmac, cracks, loose blocks, sink holes – along with sunken areas – and weeds growing through joints or to the edges.'

Daniel Wickham

Danny Wickham, the owner of First Impression Driveways, has been shaping driveways in Stockton-on-Tees, UK, for over 20 years. Known for his expertise and attention to detail, Danny specialises in creating driveways that combine practicality with aesthetic charm. His company offers services in block paving, resin, concrete imprint, and tarmac, focusing on tailoring each project to the client's needs. Danny's dedication to quality and customer satisfaction has made him a trusted name in the area. He is also dedicated to sustainable building practices, ensuring each project is environmentally considerate.

1. Tarmac starting to soften

With temperatures seemingly set to get ever hotter here in the UK, tarmac softening is becoming a more common problem.

Sue Taylor, director and product expert at Complete Construction Products, explains what to be alert to if you have a tarmac driveway. 'Surface softening can definitely be a problem for tarmac driveways. This normally happens when the bitumen binder that holds tarmac reacts to higher temperatures. When this happens the surface becomes more flexible, which can make the driveway feel slightly tacky underfoot and even cause cars to leave tyre marks and indentations when parked.

'Surface softening is usually linked to higher temperatures and, on older driveways, this tends to be more noticeable because the material has already started to age and lose some of its original strength,' continues Sue. 'You can’t really reverse softening, but applying a suitable surface sealant can help protect against further weathering and reduce how quickly the surface deteriorates.'

2. Cracks that have widened

Depending on the driveway materials you have, the odd crack in the surface is to be expected over time, but in certain instances, they can indicate that action is required.

'Cracks usually develop due to general wear and tear that comes from a mix of ageing, UV exposure, water ingress or movement beneath the driveway,' explains Sue. 'The key with tackling cracks is timing.'

'For really small hairline cracks a surface sealant can sometimes be enough if the damage is still early. For more severe ones (5–10mm and bigger), it is definitely worth using a suitable tarmac crack filler or bitumen-based repair products. Just be sure to clear out any debris or water, fill it fully and smooth it level with the surface for the best results.'

While cracks may well be harmless, Freya Chapman, residential lead at Mainmark UK, is keen to explain that they can point to something more serious. 'Cracks that appear suddenly and widen over time may indicate that the ground beneath the surface is shifting. Subsidence is one issue that often gets overlooked and could become a major and costly issue if not addressed. If subsidence is suspected, a professional assessment is essential.'

Freya Chapman

Freya is Residential Lead – and a subsidence expert – at Mainmark UK, leaders in the ground engineering field.

3. Patches that appear to have sunk

This is potentially a more serious issue – dips in the surface, or areas that appear to have sunk. In some cases, this can be down to making driveway mistakes during installation.

'You might notice dips or patterned grooves in spots where vehicles are regularly parked. This is known as 'rutting' and is usually a sign that the surface is struggling to cope with repeated weight and pressure,' explains Sue Taylor. 'This is often seen in older driveways during summer months as heat and age start to affect the performance of the binding materials and it tends to happen when the weight of a vehicle starts to place stress in a particular spot where the surface is already slightly softened or weakened. You commonly see it where cars are regularly parked or turned in the same position. Heat can make this more likely in summer because the surface can become a bit more pliable but it’s usually a combination of temperature, construction quality and just use over time.'

Sue goes on to explain how to rectify the issue. 'Minor rutting can sometimes be improved with localised patching or driveway resurfacing, but more severe cases will often need deeper repair or full resurfacing to properly restore the surface. However, if you're seeing widespread cracking in multiple spots, rutting, deep sinking areas or large sections breaking apart it's always important to ask for professional advice. In those situations the issue is likely to be a lot deeper which means that just repairing the visible damage will be unlikely to solve the underlying problem. If the problem is spreading or affecting the actual structure of the driveway then working with a professional team will always give you the best results.'

4. Loose materials on the surface

Whether you have a tarmac, block paved or even resin driveway, if you notice loose materials around the edge or on the surface, this is a sign to take action.

'If bits of aggregate are starting to chip off the surface it's often a sign that the binding materials that keep everything together are starting to break down and lose strength,' explains Sue Taylor.

'If noticed early then patch repairs or surface treatments can help slow the process,' continues Sue. 'However, if the breakdown is very noticeable and widespread then resurfacing or overlay work would likely be needed to properly restore things and stop more material being lost.'

FAQs

What are the signs of driveway subsidence?

Being aware of the signs of subsidence is so important, both when it comes to inspecting your house, as well as your exterior spaces.

'Driveways are often one of the first areas where homeowners may notice the early signs of ground movement or subsidence,' picks up Freya Chapman.

Along with cracks, Freya says there are some other signs to be on the lookout for. 'Other warning signs include sections of the driveway sinking, uneven paving, pooling water or gaps forming between the driveway and the house, garage, or property boundary.

'The first step is to monitor the issue. Take photos, measure cracks, and note whether they are changing over time,' continues Freya. 'It is also important to check for possible causes, such as leaking drains, poor drainage, tree roots, or water running towards the property rather than away from it. Water is one of the most common contributors to ground instability, particularly where soils are prone to shrinkage or erosion. If subsidence is suspected, a professional assessment is essential.'

Can you repair a driveway on a DIY basis?

By undertaking driveway repairs on a DIY basis, you could save some money, but is it such a good idea?

'Some basic work, such as weed removal or re-sanding of the joints with block paving, may be undertaken yourself, however anything more involved such as sinking, widespread cracking, softness and instability should been reviewed by a qualified professional,' says Daniel Wickham.

'I would say it definitely depends on the specific problem and the level of severity,' adds Susan Taylor. 'Some issues can definitely be addressed on a DIY basis, for example small cracks, localised damage and patch repairs can usually be tackled with the right products and a bit of preparation.'