Why tarmac cracks
The common causes are age hardening of the binder, water getting in and freezing, tree roots lifting from below, and — most often — a sub-base that was never deep or well-compacted enough for the loads on it.
Vehicle loading concentrates at the wheel tracks and at the turning point near the entrance, which is why cracking so often starts in those places.
Reading the crack
Fine, shallow crazing across the surface is usually age and UV. It looks poor but is not structural, and sealing plus an overlay often solves it.
Wide cracks that have opened, cracks with a step or level difference across them, or cracks arranged in an interlocking pattern under the wheel tracks point to base movement. Patching those hides the symptom for a season.
- Hairline crazing: cosmetic, sealable, overlay candidate
- Single crack, no level change: localised, repairable
- Stepped or interlocking cracking: base failure, needs excavation
- Cracking with pooling water: drainage problem first
Repair options
For sound bases, a cut-out-and-patch repair of the failed area followed by a wearing course overlay gives a uniform surface and a long extension of life.
Where the base has failed, the honest answer is excavation and rebuild of that section. We will tell you which you are looking at, and we would rather turn down an overlay than lay one over ground that will crack it again.
Stopping it coming back
Seal small cracks before winter so water cannot get in and freeze. Keep channel drains clear so water is not standing on the surface for days at a time.
If tree roots are the cause, dealing with the surface without addressing the root path just resets the clock.
Frequently asked questions
Can you overlay a cracked tarmac driveway?+
Only if the base is sound and the cracks are surface-level. Cracks in an overlay laid over a failed base reappear quickly.
Will a repair match the existing colour?+
Fresh tarmac is darker than weathered tarmac and will blend over a year or two. A full overlay avoids the patchwork look entirely.
Is a cracked driveway urgent?+
Not usually, but water entering a crack over winter turns a small job into a bigger one. Autumn is the best time to deal with it.
Do you repair as well as install?+
Yes. We assess honestly and quote for the smallest fix that will actually last.
Send us a photo of the cracking
We can usually tell from a couple of pictures whether you need a patch, an overlay or a rebuild.