A damaged driveway can be more than an eyesore, posing a safety risk to your family and others. However, can you repair the driveway yourself? The answer heavily depends on the extent of the damage. Find out the leading causes of damage to driveways, repair methods, how to determine which repairs you can handle and which require professional help, and how to prevent future damage.
Why Does Concrete Crack?
It is usually a matter of when, not if, your concrete will crack since it is such a common occurrence. There are many reasons why concrete cracks, ranging from improper mixing of the concrete to environmental factors. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Poor Construction Practices – Concrete installation requires much finesse to prevent cracking. One wrong step can lead to cracking. If the contractor uses too much water in the concrete mix, makes the slab too big, does not include enough expansion joints, does not sufficiently compact the soil, has an inferior finishing technique, or does not let the concrete dry long enough, the risk of cracking increases.
- Shrinkage – During the curing process, the water in the concrete evaporates and the concrete shrinks, which may lead to cracking, particularly in large slabs and concrete mixed with excessive water.
- Thermal Factors – Temperature fluctuations can cause concrete to expand and contract. Rapid temperature changes, such as those experienced during hot days followed by cool nights, can induce thermal cracking, especially in unreinforced concrete. Freeze-thaw cycles also cause the soil beneath the slab and any water in the slab to expand and contract, leading to cracking.
- Moisture – Concrete is porous, allowing water to seep into it. Water weakens the concrete over time since it causes the concrete to expand when it’s present and contract when it evaporates. The freeze-thaw cycle causes even more severe expansion and contraction, contributing to cracking and spalling.
- Settlement – Settlement cracks occur when the soil beneath the concrete compresses or settles unevenly, causing the concrete slab or structure to sink or tilt. This uneven settlement can stress the concrete and cause cracks, particularly at the joints or weak points.
- Overloading – Excessive loads or concentrated loads applied to the concrete surface can exceed its bearing capacity and cause it to crack. Also, if the concrete mix used is not of the proper strength, it can crack under the constant weight of a parked vehicle.
- Earthquake – An earthquake’s tremors can stress the concrete, leading to cracking.
- Tree Roots – As you know, tree roots are very powerful and are common causes of cracked and unlevel concrete slabs.
Why Is My Concrete Driveway Unlevel?
The reasons your driveway may be unlevel are closely associated with the reasons why concrete cracks. For example, a lack of expansion joints can cause slabs to heave and overlap, becoming uneven. Poorly compacted, oversaturated, eroded, or other soil-related issues can lead to uneven settlement of your concrete. Earthquakes and tree roots can also make your driveway unlevel. Before making any repairs, it is essential to identify the cause of the damage to resolve the underlying issue and prevent further damage after repairs.
Common Concrete Driveway Repairs
While there are many different solutions for repairing your driveway, we will focus on the most common – crack repair, concrete leveling, and slab replacement.
Crack Repair
Crack repair is ideal for isolated cracks under 1/4 of an inch wide. Many solutions are on the market, from caulking to concrete patches and varying injections. Many of the solutions will work, at least temporarily. We recommend using an epoxy crack injection because it travels deep into the crack, creating a watertight seal. Plus, it comes with a 2-year transferable limited warranty.
Concrete Leveling
Concrete leveling raises uneven slabs, fixes trip hazards, and even lessens many cracks. There are different methods for achieving this, mainly mudjacking and polyjacking. Mudjacking involves injecting a cement slurry below the slab to raise it back up while polyjacking uses polyurethane foam to raise the slab while compacting the soil below. We recommend polyjacking as the best concrete leveling solution since it is less invasive, has a faster installation period, and is longer lasting.
Slab Replacement
If there is extensive cracking or the slab is raised, the only solution is to replace the slab. Unfortunately, this is usually the most costly solution since it will involve removing the existing slab and pouring a new one. To save on costs, some homeowners may decide only to replace the damaged slabs in their driveway, but remember that this will create an incohesive look. Some may mitigate this using different finishing techniques like acid washes, stains, or overlays.
Which Concrete Driveway Repairs Can I Do Myself?
If your driveway has minor isolated cracks less than 1/4 of an inch wide, you may be able to repair it yourself successfully using the products mentioned earlier. Please follow the manufacturer’s directions to attain the best results. However, you may still want to consider getting an inspection from an expert to ensure that the crack is not a sign of more severe damage that should be addressed to avoid more extensive damage.
When Should I Call a Professional to Repair My Concrete Driveway?
If there is extensive cracking in your driveway or the slabs have shifted, creating trip hazards, it is best to call a professional concrete repair company. Extensive cracking and shifting can signal underlying issues that a professional must address before making repairs. Also, DIY concrete leveling is not recommended since it requires much experience and can lead to further damage that may only be resolved with slab replacement. It is also wise to consider the expertise and guarantee a professional company can provide, giving you peace of mind.
How to Protect Your Driveway from Damage
Once you’ve repaired your driveway, the last thing you want is to see another crack. Taking the following steps can help you prevent future damage to your driveway:
- Choose a reputable company. – Be sure that whoever pours or repairs your concrete is experienced, has a good reputation, and will stand behind their work.
- Seal your concrete. – Concrete sealing will protect your driveway’s surface from excessive moisture, preventing cracking.
- Avoid planting trees nearby. – This way, you will not have to worry about invasive roots.
- Ensure proper drainage. – Installing yard drainage systems will inhibit soil oversaturation, preventing factors contributing to uneven slab settlement.
Schedule an appointment with our concrete driveway repair experts for a free consultation regarding your damaged driveway. We offer crack repair, concrete lifting, slab pouring, and other flatwork repairs throughout Nebraska and parts of Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri.
