Fortunately, you can restore your concrete driveway and extend its longevity.
A concrete driveway can last up to 55 years while withstanding the pressure of nature’s harsh elements and the weight of your vehicles. It will eventually display signs of wear and tear and have some degree of cracking as it settles. It’s usually not a concern, but if the cracks on your concrete driveway are large, they can pose a safety issue. Fortunately, you can restore your driveway and extend its lifespan.
Causes of Concrete Slabs Cracks
Ideally, your concrete driveway will stay smooth for years to come. But over time, some settlement cracks will start to develop. Common causes of concrete driveway cracks are:
- Expansion cracks – If you reside in a climate with high temperatures, the heat can provoke the concrete to expand and push against the materials next to it. With time, the concrete will crack.
- Heaving cracks – These cracks develop after the concrete repeatedly freezes and thaws. They also form as a result of trees growing underneath the concrete.
- Overloading cracks – If you want to maintain giant vehicles or other heavy items in your driveway, you should invest in thicker concrete.
- Crazing cracks – When a concrete slab dries too fast, it causes crusting cracks, when the concrete is into patterns or textures.
Repairing Concrete Driveway Cracks
You can’t repair a crack once it develops, but you can seal the concrete crack with concrete crack fillers bought from your local hardware store. You should be able to fill the cracks in your driveway if they are less than one inch wide. Follow these DIY steps:
- For best results, check the weather. Mild temperatures are perfect for this type of job. The concrete surface should be at a minimum of 50 degrees before beginning the repair process
- Clear and clean any debris or plant growth from the cracks.
- Create a plan based on the severity of the cracks.
- Apply the concrete resurfacing method to make a smooth, like-new surface for fine, superficial cracks on your driveway.
- If your driveway form cracks less than ¼ inch wide, you can use a quick-drying or fast-setting concrete crack filler to fill small cracks.
- Repair cracks wider than ¼ inch with a concrete backer rod, which is a piece of styrofoam applied into the crack before applying the filler.
Choose Edward’s Lawn & Home
For the past thirteen years, Edwards Lawn and Home has been offering premier residential and commercial services to improve your property all year long. The options are endless from a new patio to a backyard fire pit, let the winners of Angie’s List Super Service Aware serve you! If you’re interested in finding out more about our services or getting a quote, you can contact us online or give us a call at 443-341-6539. For more information about our services or DIY tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Houzz.