Concrete Driveway Repair Options

In a perfect world, your concrete driveway will last a lifetime or at least the life of your home, however there are some things that may shorten its lifespan. Some homeowners may notice some cracking in their driveway or maybe some discoloration or settlement in certain areas. Typical causes may include improper compacted subgrade, low-quality or inadequate concrete mix, severe weather conditions or poor placement procedures and practices. What options does a homeowner have if any of these issues come up? The good news is that an experienced concrete contractor can often repair a driveway if the concrete is structurally sound thus saving the homeowner money and time.

If you begin to notice some cracking, discoloration or settlement in your driveway or walkways, the first step is to get it inspected by a professional concrete contractor in order to determine what has caused the damage and get some options about the most effective repair procedures. Driveway repair options can vary depending on the condition of the concrete and the budget but they typically range from a simple re-color or color enhancement or a contractor can apply a new top coat of stain. A more involved concrete repair process would include a total driveway resurfacing with a decorative overlay.

Concrete Resurfacing
If the repairs needed to your driveway are a result of cracking, spalling or scaling the best option is to resurface it with a concrete overlay. This process will not only repair and cover the existing damage but it will also upgrade the look of your driveway. Concrete resurfacing allows the homeowner to redesign the concrete surface by choosing new colors and patterns from a variety of options.  A concrete contractor will begin the resurfacing process by first removing and replacing any unstable concrete

Engraving Concrete
Engraving a pattern into a concrete surface may be a suitable solutions for driveways with only minor cracking and discoloration. There are many patterns that a homeowner can select where the minor flaws and cracks actually enhance the new look. The engraving process first begins with staining the concrete surface, then a special concrete routing machine is used to cut the pattern into the surface which mimics the look of grout lines. There are multiple engraving options that your concrete contractor can offer. This is an effective and relatively inexpensive way to repair and upgrade your concrete driveway and sidewalks and will greatly enhance the curb appeal of any property.

​What is Slabjacking?
Concrete contractors use a process called ‘slabjacking’ to repair driveways that are sinking in certain spots. Sinking is most always the result of poorly compacted subgrade or soil erosion. Slabjacking allows concrete contractors to raise the concrete slab back to its original position. This is accomplished by pumping a mixture of sand, cement, fly ash and other additives beneath the sagging slab. While it may sound like a funny or peculiar word, slabjacking is actually a very effective method of repairing sunken concrete driveways.