A driveway is one of the essential parts of your home. It’s where you and your family spend time together, and it’s also a part of your property that needs to be well-maintained to not become an eyesore in the neighborhood. Many homeowners face one problem when they have a concrete driveway crumbled or started cracking over time. This blog post will discuss what you can do about this issue, including Columbus concrete repair options. .
What are the common causes of crumbling driveways?
Concrete driveways can suffer from a variety of issues, including the following:
- If the ground is not compacted correctly when the driveway is installed, it will settle over time and cause cracks.
- If there are too many cars or heavy objects parked on the driveway or garage, this puts pressure on it and can lead to cracking.
- If you live in an area where salt is used to clear ice off of roads in winter, that salt can end up leaching into the concrete slab and causing cracking.
- If you have a steep garage floor, it is more likely to crack because of water running down from above- this can also be an issue if your lawn has poor drainage or nearby trees that cause rainfall runoff. If none of these issues apply to your specific situation, then the problem may be old age; if the driveway is over 20 years old, complete concrete removal needs to be replaced.
- Using an incorrect concrete mix can also cause cracking, especially if it is too wet or contains excessive sand.
- The type and quality of water used to mix cement can significantly impact how sturdy your driveway becomes; ideally, use clean river or lake water rather than tap water if you live in an area with high iron levels.
- Finally, the an inadequate procedure for the installation of the concrete work.
What are your options for your crumbling driveway?
Fixing minor cracks
This is usually the first sign you see when your driveway is starting to go wrong. There are several ways you can do this, but you must know the long-term effects.
While there are some temporary fixes, they only provide a short-term solution and may cause more damage in the future. If left unaddressed, these cracks will keep growing until it becomes too expensive for homeowners to try a concrete repair.
The best way to ensure safety when driving on your cracked concrete driveways is by filling them with an epoxy filler or cold pour crack seal. They offer both quick results and long-lasting protection against water penetration into the foundation beneath. This also provides adequate traction during rainstorms while preventing potholes from forming underneath vehicles. The downside of using materials like this is that they are expensive and need to be reapplied in the concrete work every year.
Stamped concrete
This is the final option for fixing up damaged driveways. Just like resurfacing, you can choose different colors when working with stamping solutions. With the help of professionals, these patterns are applied over freshly laid cement to create unique patterns that add another dimension to your space’s design scheme. This project usually costs $12-$15 per square foot, depending on how many decorative elements there are in what you want done (i.e., curved edges around flower beds).
Stamped concrete is a modern resurfacing method because it offers a unique look that isn’t too expensive. It’s another excellent way to upgrade your driveway in time for summer!
Concrete resurfacing
Another concrete project to fixing your drive is concrete resurfacing. This process is a little more expensive, but it does work. You will be able to change the color of your driveway and give it a whole new look with this process. If you are going for an upscale look, then consider using stamped concrete.
Patching driveway holes
Another solution is patching driveway holes and cracks. If you have a small crack or hole, it’s easy to fix them yourself. You can buy an epoxy at any home improvement store and follow the instructions on the package to apply materials properly.
Full driveway replacement
This is the last option that is usually recommended. This can be very expensive and will involve a lot of digging, but it’s the most long-lasting solution for this problem. A new cement base and pouring concrete are required to replace the old driveway. Once the concrete is cured, the outcome will last for decades.
How to slow down the crumbling process?
There are a few different ways that you could go about this. You will need to put in some effort, though! If you do nothing, your driveway is going to crumble faster than ever before, and it may only be another year or so until replacement becomes necessary and capable concrete contractors are needed.
We recommend that the first chip away as much of the loose concrete from your driveway as possible. This will make it easier for you or a Columbus concrete contractor to do the rest of these steps, plus this should stop even more chunks from falling off and creating a safety hazard.
Next, look around at your curb and other driveways in your area. Do they have the same problem? If so, you may be able to get some ideas of how contractors in Columbus solved the issue.
Third, fill any holes that are in your driveway with gravel or concrete chips. Just make sure it’s not loose enough for another pile of chunks to move down onto your driveway! You also don’t want these materials flowing away when it rains.
Finally, you can seal the surface of your driveway with a concrete treatment or epoxy to make sure water doesn’t slip through and cause more damage underneath.
To conclude
It would help if you did the following maintenance tips after doing your concrete repair projects:
- Clean up any debris and weeds around your driveway. Then use a power washer to clean off dirt and grime from its surface. Make sure not to add too much pressure because it could damage the concrete or crack it further. Allow time for drying before proceeding to step two. This process should be repeated at least once a year to keep it looking its best.
- Use an epoxy filler that is designed for use on concrete surfaces to fill in any cracks and then paint over the patched areas with colors that will look good against your driveway’s finish, like black or dark brown if you have light gray concrete.
- Apply a clear sealant over any patched areas and those you didn’t touch at all to prevent future cracks and discoloration due to weathering.
It’s not always easy to keep up with your concrete repair or maintenance, but it is necessary. If you don’t maintain your concrete work regularly, it will deteriorate quickly and need a complete replacement sooner than later.
We at Columbus Concrete Co. want to help make sure that doesn’t happen. With our expert knowledge and experience, we have seen all sorts of issues from cracks to holes to uneven slabs–we’ve got this covered!
Contact us today if you’re looking for Columbus concrete contractors that know how to do this right the first time! We’re available for a free estimate whenever you need it.
