You paid good money to have a new driveway installed, and now just months later, you’re noticing dips, soft spots, or standing water. If you’re living in Hershey, you might be frustrated and wondering why this is happening so soon.
Unfortunately, driveway sinking is a fairly common issue in Central Pennsylvania. The combination of our freeze-thaw winters, clay-heavy soil, and rolling terrain around areas like Swatara Station and Palmdale can make a poorly prepped driveway base vulnerable to early settling.
But don’t panic. Here’s exactly what to do if your new asphalt or concrete driveway in Hershey is already starting to sink—along with what likely caused it and how to prevent it from getting worse.
Key Takeaways
- Sinking driveways in Hershey often happen because clay soil, hills, and freeze-thaw weather weaken a poorly compacted base.
- Pooling water, soft spots, and small cracks are early signs that the ground underneath the driveway is shifting.
- Runoff from nearby roofs or slopes can erode the driveway base, especially in low-lying or poorly drained areas.
- Parking on a sunken section or delaying repairs makes the damage worse and can lead to a full replacement.
- Local paving experts can check soil movement, drainage, and pavement layers to recommend the best long-term fix.
Take a Close Look at What’s Happening
Before calling anyone, do a quick self-inspection. Walk the length of your driveway and look for:
- Low spots where water pools after it rains
- Sections that feel softer underfoot
- Cracks forming around sunken areas
- Gaps where the driveway meets your garage or sidewalk
Even if the damage seems minor now, small dips are often early warning signs of deeper base issues. In areas with older or disturbed soil—such as around Cocoa Castle Park—uncompacted ground can shift more easily, especially after heavy rains or freezing temperatures.
For concrete driveways, check for uneven slabs or separation between joints. For asphalt, look for rippling or wave-like impressions that weren’t there when the surface was new.
Watch for Drainage Issues Nearby
In many Hershey neighborhoods—particularly near Spring Creek or sloped areas like Laurel Grove—water drainage can make or break a driveway installation. If rainwater from your roof, yard, or your neighbor’s property flows toward your driveway, it can gradually erode the base and cause settling.
Look for signs like:
- Downspouts emptying too close to the driveway
- Pooling water or soggy soil near the edges
- Washed-out mulch or eroded flower beds adjacent to the pavement
This kind of runoff might not have been obvious when your driveway was first installed, but over time—especially during the rainy spring months—it can become a major factor in base failure.
Contact the Contractor Who Installed It
If your driveway was installed within the last 12 months, reach out to the company that did the work. Reputable contractors in Hershey and Dauphin County typically offer a warranty or satisfaction guarantee.
Be ready to:
- Describe the issues clearly
- Share photos of the affected areas
- Reference your contract and installation date
If the installer wasn’t familiar with local soil conditions—like the clay and limestone mix common around Hockersville—they may have skipped essential steps like deep base compaction or drainage design.
Don’t Keep Parking in the Problem Area
It might not seem like a big deal, but parking your vehicle on a soft or sunken spot adds weight to an already-compromised area and can make the issue way worse. This is especially true for larger vehicles, which are common in rural stretches like South Hanover or near Hersheypark Drive.
If possible, park in a different spot or on the street until asphalt repairs are complete. Just a few weeks of reduced pressure can help prevent further sinking.
Get a Professional Inspection
If your original contractor won’t address the issue—or if you’ve noticed significant settling—it’s time to bring in a local expert for a second opinion. An asphalt paving professional familiar with Hershey’s terrain and soil can assess:
- Base preparation and soil movement
- Water flow patterns
- Pavement layer thickness and materials
- Subsurface instability in hilly or low-lying areas
They may recommend core sampling or other tests to determine what’s happening beneath the surface. This helps you get a clearer picture of whether the issue can be repaired or needs a full rebuild.
Understand Your Repair Options
Once the root cause is identified, your contractor will likely suggest one of these approaches:
Patching and resurfacing
Minor dips or early-stage settling in asphalt driveways can often be fixed without a full redo through asphalt patching and resurfacing. These processes are recommended for long driveways like those in Waltonville.
Mudjacking or slabjacking
Mudjacking is a method that lifts sunken concrete by injecting grout or foam beneath the slab to fill voids and raise it evenly. It’s best for minor settling when the base is mostly intact.
Full tear-out and replacement
If the original base was poorly constructed or there’s a structural failure caused by poor soil or drainage, the only long-term fix may be removing the entire driveway, excavating the base, and rebuilding it from the ground up.
A good contractor will explain each option’s pros, cons, and costs, so ask questions and don’t settle for a quick patch if it won’t last.
Take Preventative Measures Moving Forward
After repairs, make sure your property setup supports long-term durability. In Hershey, where sudden rainstorms and winter freeze-thaw cycles are common, consider these upgrades:
- Redirect downspouts away from the driveway
- Add gravel trenches or French drains to catch runoff
- Install edge support like curbing or paver borders
- Seal cracks promptly to block water infiltration
- Let new driveways fully cure before parking heavy vehicles
These steps are especially helpful in hilly neighborhoods like southern Hershey Heights or along Stoney Run.
Act Fast Before Small Sinking Turns into a Big Repair
Even a small dip can lead to cracking, water intrusion, or tripping hazards if left alone.
At ProSeal Asphalt Maintenance Inc., we’ve worked with homeowners across Hershey—from Campbelltown to Union Deposit—and we understand how local soil, terrain, and weather affect your driveway.
We’ll assess the damage, identify the cause, and recommend a lasting solution—whether that’s a patch, a lift, or a full rebuild with proper base compaction and drainage.
Don’t wait for the damage to spread.
Call us today to schedule a driveway inspection and protect your investment.
