Why Driveway Edges Crumble in Indiana Winters

It usually starts small.

Perhaps you notice a few pitted spots of asphalt along the edge of the driveway, or

maybe there's a crack running the length of the side. You might even see the edge of the

driveway jutting out unsightly from the grass.

Not a big deal.

But then another winter rolls around, and by spring, chunks of the edge are missing, the

edge is uneven, and what was a small issue has become a much bigger one.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone.

Driveway edge damage is one of the most common problems we see across Michigan

City and LaPorte County, and while many people think of it as just a natural part of the

aging process, there are usually underlying causes that contribute to the problem

Why Driveway Edges Are The First To Go

It's common for people to think that the center of the driveway would begin to

deteriorate before the edges, but in reality, the edges are often the weakest points.

Unlike the center of the driveway, which has the benefit of the full thickness of the base

material, edges have less material to support them and are more likely to crack and

erode away when the freeze-thaw cycle begins.

Northern Indiana's Freeze Thaw Cycle Can Damage

Driveways

One of the biggest reasons driveway edges are damaged in Northern Indiana has to do

with the state's freeze-thaw cycle.

Water gets trapped in the cracks along the edge of the driveway, and when the

temperature dips below freezing, that water turns to ice.

When the temperature climbs back up, that ice turns to water and can erode away at the

base material, causing the cracks to widen.

The National Weather Service for Northern Indiana has additional information on the

weather patterns that can cause stress on roads, parking lots, and driveways.

Our article on How Freeze Thaw Cycles Damage Asphalt in Michigan City has additional

information on how the freeze-thaw cycle can affect asphalt pavement.

Water Can Be The Culprit For Many Asphalt Problems

The element that causes the most damage to asphalt pavement is, unsurprisingly, water.

If water can't drain away from the driveway, it will seek out places to get underneath the

asphalt and erode the base material.

The longer water is trapped against the pavement, the more damage it can do,

especially when that water freezes and expands.

Drainage is one of the first things we look at when inspecting a driveway, as poor

drainage can have a significant effect on the lifespan of a driveway.

Vehicles Driving Too Close To The Edge

One of the other problems we often see involves vehicles driving or parking too close to

the edge of the driveway.

Many driveways are constructed with a stone base that runs underneath the asphalt, but

the edge of the driveway has less material to support it.

When vehicles are driven over unsupported edges, the asphalt can flex and crack,

especially when that flexing is compounded by the freeze-thaw cycle.

It's not unusual to see cracks along the edge of the driveway that lead to larger chunks

of asphalt breaking away from the rest of the pavement.

Poor Base Preparation

In some cases, the problem can be traced back to the original installation.

If the stone base was poorly prepared or failed to extend far enough underneath the

driveway, edges can fail prematurely.

A strong base is the most important element in any asphalt driveway, and that's why we

spend so much time talking about base preparation in our Cost to Pave a Driveway in

Michigan City guide.

The driveway's surface can only be as strong as the base beneath it.

Grass And Landscaping Can Cause Driveway Edge

Damage

Believe it or not, landscaping can also play a role in driveway edge failure.

The erosion of the soil along the edge of the driveway can undermine the driveway's

edge, and the roots of some plants can grow underneath the pavement.

Sprinklers can cause localized areas of wet soil along the edge of the driveway, and the

use of large lawn equipment to trim the grass can cause damage to the exposed edge of

the driveway.

None of these factors in isolation are likely to cause serious damage to the edge of a

driveway, but in combination with the stresses caused by Indiana's winters, they can

combine to cause significant damage.

Minor Edge Damage Often Leads To Larger Problems

One of the mistakes that people often make when it comes to driveway edge damage is

waiting too long to address the problem.

Once the edge of the driveway begins to break away, water can get trapped against the

base material, causing more damage with every winter.

A relatively simple repair to the edge of the driveway can turn into a much more involved

repair if the damage is not taken care of in a timely manner.

That's why it's always a good idea to have driveway edges inspected before the winter

season begins.

Can You Repair Edge Damage To Your Driveway?

It's possible to repair many types of driveway edge damage, especially if the underlying

base material has not been compromised.

If the edges of the driveway have failed, it's always a good idea to have the driveway

inspected to see if the damage can be repaired or if replacement is the best option.

In some cases, a full replacement is the most cost-effective solution, especially if the

base has been damaged.

Every driveway is different, and it's always a good idea to address the root cause of the

problem, not just the symptoms.

Our article on Asphalt Overlay vs Full Replacement in Michigan City has additional

information on driveway repair options.

How To Prevent Edge Damage To Your Driveway

While it's impossible to prevent all driveway edge damage, there are steps that you can

take to prolong the life of the driveway and prevent edges from breaking away

prematurely.

• Avoid driving over unsupported edges whenever possible.

• Repair cracks in the driveway before the winter season begins.

• Make sure water isn't pooling on or around the driveway.

• Sealcoat the driveway on a regular basis.

• Address drainage problems as soon as they appear.

Routine maintenance is almost always less expensive than major repairs or replacement,

and our Best Time To Sealcoat In Michigan City guide has additional information on

driveway maintenance.

Common Questions About Driveway Edge Damage

Why do driveway edges crumble before the middle?

Driveway edges tend to crumble before the middle because the edges have less

support and are more prone to water damage.

Can sealcoating prevent edge damage?

Sealcoating can help prevent water damage to asphalt, but it won't repair structural

damage.

Is edge damage a sign that I need to replace my driveway?

It depends on the severity of the damage and the condition of the base, but minor edge

damage can usually be repaired.

Does poor drainage contribute to edge damage?

Poor drainage can contribute to edge damage by allowing water to pool against the

driveway.

Helpful Resources

National Weather Service Northern Indiana

Federal Highway Administration Pavement Preservation

Final Thoughts

Driveway edges rarely give up their fight against the elements all at once.

It's more common for driveway edges to fail one winter at a time, as a few stray drops of

water seep into cracks in the pavement, and the freeze-thaw cycle does the rest.

The good news is that most driveway edge damage can be prevented or repaired before

it turns into a large-scale problem.

If you're a homeowner in Michigan City, La Porte, or the surrounding area, and the edges

of your driveway are beginning to fail, we encourage you to give us a call.

In many cases, a simple repair is all that's needed to prolong the life of your driveway,

but it's always a good idea to have the underlying causes of the damage inspected and

addressed before another Indiana winter takes its toll.