Why Do So Many Driveways in Elkins Park Have Tree Root Damage?
One thing a lot of homeowners in Elkins Park deal with is tree roots slowly damaging their driveways, like for real, over time. Since many neighborhoods here have older homes and large mature trees, it’s pretty normal to see asphalt lifting, cracking, or just becoming uneven because roots underneath the surface keep growing. At first, most people barely notice it— maybe one side of the driveway starts lifting a little. Maybe there’s a crack near the edge where a tree sits nearby. Then after some time, the asphalt gets uneven enough that you can actually feel it when driving over it.
And in some driveways, roots push the asphalt upward so much that sections start breaking apart completely. It’s a very common situation around older neighborhoods with big shade trees. A lot of homeowners try fixing the same spots over and over again, but if the root cause underneath isn’t handled the right way, the cracks usually return.
That’s why many homeowners in the area reach out to Kelly’s Paving & Concrete when their driveway starts lifting or cracking near trees. Tree roots are tricky because they grow slowly and spread underneath the pavement over the years. As they expand, they put steady pressure on the asphalt from below. Eventually, the driveway begins shifting, cracking, or sinking in different areas. You’ll often notice it near older maple or oak trees, where the roots have had years to creep closer to the surface.
Besides making the driveway look rough , uneven asphalt can also become a safety problem. People can trip on lifted sections, and cars can scrape on low spots or damaged edges. In some cases, homeowners only need part of the driveway repaired. Other times, resurfacing or replacing the affected sections makes more sense, depending on how much movement the roots have caused.
Drainage can also become a problem once the surface gets a little uneven . Then water starts collecting in the low spots, and that leads to even more damage when it rains hard ,and also during winter when things freeze. So yeah, just covering the cracks usually doesn’t last that long. A proper paving job really aims at fixing the underlying issue first, so the new asphalt stays smoother for more time.
A lot of homeowners in Elkins Park also go for seal coating after the repairs, because it helps guard the asphalt against moisture plus everyday wear, while also giving the driveway a cleaner, finished look.
And the same kind of tree root trouble shows up in sidewalks and parking areas around the neighborhood too. It’s pretty much what happens with older trees and established streets throughout the area. Naturally, nobody really wants to remove beautiful mature trees if they can avoid it. That’s why experienced paving contractors often try to look for practical fixes that protect the driveway and the nearby landscape as much as they can.
If your driveway in Elkins Park has been lifting, cracking near trees, or feeling uneven lately, there’s a good chance that tree roots underneath are the main reason .
