Concrete driveways are known for being strong and long-lasting but they can still get damaged over time. Several things can cause cracks in your driveway, which can make it less stable and attractive. It is easier to keep your driveway looking brand new if you know what causes cracks in concrete driveways and how to fix them.
Do you want to know why concrete breaks and how you can repair it? Well, you have come to the right place. This article will help you understand the reasons why the concrete on your sidewalks breaks and how you can fix it. Finding a reliable sidewalk repair contractor NYC is crucial in addressing these issues effectively.
Common Causes of Concrete Driveway Cracks
There are so many reasons why concrete in your driveways can crack and that doesn’t always mean that there is a flaw or that it was improperly poured. Concrete is one of the most durable and strong materials, but it is also not very flexible so something as simple as too much movement can cause cracks.
Here are some reasons why concrete cracks:
● Freeze-Thaw Cycle
● Soil Settling
● Expansion
● Tree Roots
● Exposure to Harsh Chemicals
1. Freeze-Thaw Cycles: In cold places, repeated cycles of freezing and melting can put stress on the concrete, which can cause cracks over time.
2. Soil Settling: If the soil isn’t packed down properly or the base isn’t prepared properly, the driveway may settle unevenly, which can cause cracks in the concrete as it moves.
3. Expansion: Excessive heat can cause everything to expand, even concrete. When the concrete of your driveway expands, it pushes anything that might be in its way.
4. Tree Roots: If tree roots grow under the driveway, they can put pressure on the pavement and make it crack or lift.
5. Exposure to Harsh Chemicals: Harsh chemicals like deicing agents, oil spills, and pesticides can weaken concrete, making it more likely to crack.
Effective Repair Solutions
Every problem comes with a solution, just like concrete problems also come with solutions.
Sidewalk replacement: When cracks and damages are extensive or severe, opting for sidewalk replacement NYC may be necessary. This solution involves removing the damaged section of the sidewalk and installing new slabs in its place. It ensures a long-lasting and visually appealing sidewalk.
Some of them are discussed below:
● Crack Filling
● Resurfacing
● Replacement of Slabs
● Preventive Maintenance
● Professional Evaluation
1. Crack Filling: Crack filling is a good way to fix small surface damage or tiny cracks. First, clean the crack well. Then, use a caulking gun to put a concrete crack filler in it. Smooth the filler out with a putty knife, and then follow the manufacturer’s directions for letting it dry.
2. Resurfacing: If the cracks are big or the surface is badly destroyed, the driveway may need to be resurfaced. Putting a new layer of concrete or a concrete resurfacer on top of the old driveway will make it look good again and fix any problems with its structure.
3. Replacement of Slabs: If cracks or other damage to a concrete slab make it impossible to fix, replacing the slabs is the best choice. Take out the broken slab, prepare the base or soil below it, and then put down a new concrete block.
4. Preventive Maintenance: To keep the driveway from cracking again, you might want to use a concrete finish on it regularly. This helps keep the concrete safe from water damage, chemical damage, and UV light, which makes it last longer and less likely to crack.
5. Professional Evaluation: If you’re not sure how bad the cracks are or what the best way to fix them is, get an evaluation from a professional concrete builder. They can give you professional help and tell you what to do next based on the condition of your driveway.
DIY vs Professional
You can usually choose between doing the work yourself (DIY) or getting a professional contractor when you need to fix your concrete driveway or sidewalk. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each method:
DIY
Now let’s talk about the pros and cons of repairing a cracked driveway by yourself. Below are the pros and cons
Pros:
The pros of repairing your cracked concrete driveway on your own are given below.
● Saves Money
● Flexibility
● A Chance to Learn
1. Saves Money: Doing repairs yourself can save you money on work costs because you’re not hiring someone to do it for you. You may only need to buy tools and ingredients, which can save you money.
2. Flexibility: Do-it-yourself jobs let you set your hours and work at your own pace since you don’t have to hire outside help. You are in charge of the whole fixing process and schedule.
3. A Chance to Learn: Doing a job on your own can be a good way to learn new things, like how to fix concrete.
Cons:
We have gathered some cons of repairing your cracked concrete yourself so that you can make an informed choice. Some of them are given below:
● You Need Skill and Experience
● It Takes a Lot of Time
● Risk of Making Mistakes
1. You Need Skill and Experience: To get good results when fixing concrete, you need a certain amount of skill and experience. Do-it-yourselfers who haven’t done it before might not be able to correctly identify problems or make repairs, which could result in poor results.
2. It Takes a Lot of Time: Do-it-yourself fixes often take longer to finish, especially if you don’t know how to do them or run into problems along the way. This can lead to long-lasting problems and trouble.
3. Risk of Making Mistakes: People who have never fixed anything before are more likely to make mistakes during the repair process, which can damage the road or sidewalk’s structure and appearance.
Professional
The pros of hiring a professional are given below:
Pros:
● Expertise and Excellent Work
● Saves Time
● Guaranteed Results
1. Expertise and Excellent Work: Professional workers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to do the best repairs on concrete. They can correctly figure out how bad the damage is, suggest the best ways to fix it, and do the repairs perfectly.
2. Saves Time: Hiring a professional sidewalk repair near me makes sure that the job gets done on time, so there is less downtime and less disruption to your daily life. They have the tools and people to do the work quickly and correctly.
3. Guaranteed Results: Reliable contractors usually back up their work with warranties or guarantees, which gives you peace of mind and the knowledge that the fixes will be done right. It’s also their responsibility to fix any problems that come up.
Cons:
The cons of hiring a professional concrete repair contractor are listed below:
● Cost
● More Trust
● Find a Reliable Contractor
1. Cost: Hiring a professional to fix your concrete will cost money, maybe more than what you would spend doing it yourself. But the cost usually pays off in the long run through better quality, longer resilience, and fewer mistakes that cost a lot of money.
2. More Trust: Hiring professionals means giving the job to them, but it also means giving up some control over the repair process and schedule. It’s important to talk to and work with the worker to make sure your needs and wants are met.
3. Find a Reliable Contractor: It can be hard to pick the right contractor because not all of them provide the same level of quality and service. To make sure you hire a reputable and reliable team, you need to do research and check out possible contractors.
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Conclusion
Even though cracks in a concrete driveway may be unavoidable, regular upkeep and repairs can lessen their effects and make the driveway last longer. Understanding the most common reasons for cracks and using effective repair methods will help you keep your driveway looking great and working well for many years.