Concrete is widely used in construction and it’s the most preferred material of people for their residential or commercial space. Concrete is durable, strong, and requires little maintenance. Aside from that, it can last for many years. However, due to wear and tear, weather conditions, or improper installation, concrete can get damaged.
Here at Bundaberg Concreters, we specialise in concrete driveways. If you’re having issues with it, we can send out a team to have it checked. In this article, we will discuss the signs we look for whether your driveway needs a repair or replacement.
Signs of Damaged Concrete Driveway
By nature, concrete driveways are durable and strong. However, if your concrete is already old, you may notice signs of aging such as cracking and staining. Another reason is your concrete driveway was not installed properly.
Here are a few danger signs that your concrete driveway may need repair or replacement:
Big and deep cracks
Uneven appearance
Pooling water
Warping
Discolouration or stains
Weather damage
Potholes
Sinking
Of course, proper maintenance and regular inspection can avoid this from happening. If you notice any of these signs, consult our experts at Bundaberg Concreters right away.
Have an Expert Evaluate the Issue
If you already identified the issue in your concrete driveway, it’s time to have a professional evaluate how big or small the damage is. The length and depth of major cracks and holes will be measured to check if they can still be repaired.
Having the issue assessed right away will prevent major driveway failure.
Repairing Your Concrete Driveway
If your driveway has minor issues, these are some ways we repair it:
Resurfacing
Resurfacing is done by adding patterns and colours on your concrete driveway and it can also fix minor cracking, calling, and spalling.
Engraving
One way to hide minor cracks and stains is to engrave patterns on your concrete driveway.
Slabjacking
This is for driveways that have noticeable sinking areas. This will help raise the concrete slab and return it to its original position.
Recolouring
Recolouring will make your old concrete look new and fresh. Oil and gas stains and faded pigments can be fixed by recolouring.
When You Need to Replace the Entire Driveway
Unfortunately, not all damages can be repaired. Here are cases where your driveway needs to be replaced:
Multiple Potholes
Deep potholes can damage the foundation of your driveway. The only solution is to replace the entire concrete to prevent a more severe driveway failure.
Major Cracks
If the crack is more than 2 inches deep.
Pooling Water
If you notice water pooling in your driveway, there may be drainage issues. This can lead to damaging your home’s foundation as well.
Multiple Issues for Repair
It’s less expensive to replace your entire driveway than deal with multiple repairs at the same time.
Conclusion
If you have damaged concrete, you may notice cracks, chipped surfaces, or discolouration. Depending on the type of damage, your driveway will either be repaired or replaced. Replacing an entire concrete driveway requires a lot of work and money. That’s why you should consult an expert to evaluate your driveway.
