There’s no hiding your driveway: it’s right out there in front of your home for guests and delivery services to find their way to you. A damaged or unattractive driveway can affect the curb appeal of your home. Sometimes, it’s challenging to determine what to do about it. Start by learning the differences between driveway repair and replacement.

Concrete Driveways

Concrete driveways are durable but can still crack, heave, or sink. It’s possible to “slabjack” a sunken section, raising it back to where it belongs. Professional concrete driveway contractors can resurface concrete, refresh color, or replace damaged sections while preserving the overall look of the driveway.

Repair

Patching small cracks in concrete driveways is possible, but if not carefully done, it can sometimes result in an unattractive appearance. Your contractor may be able to replace just a section of your driveway in a way that makes the replaced section blend in with the rest of the drive.

Cracks that occur after the driveway is fully cured may come from tree roots disturbing the subsurface, a broken or leaking pipe running under the driveway, or an improperly installed or inadequate underlayment.

However, if your driveway is “spalling,” meaning developing crumbling areas that expose the underlying aggregate, it may indicate improper installation. The concrete mix may have contained too much water when the concrete was poured. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles, or water seeping into the concrete from an unseen source, can also cause spalling.

Newer concrete repair materials make resurfacing concrete driveways possible, potentially avoiding a complete replacement. Resurfacing materials can be spread with a squeegee, thin enough so resurfacing doesn’t interfere with garage doors, curbs, etc.

Replacement

If more than 25% of your concrete driveway shows cracks wider than one-quarter inch, or if there are drainage problems (puddles), consult a professional concrete contractor for an inspection to determine if the problem can be solved with repairs or if it runs deeper and requires a total replacement. In Montgomery County, Texas, call Green Coast Construction. We can help you determine if repairs are possible or when it’s time for a completely new driveway.