Concrete driveways are done by Concrete Repair are extremely durable, strong, and need very little care. However, even if you seldom use your concrete driveway, elements will take their toll over time! Mildew, cracking, stains, and mineral build-up can all wreak havoc on your newly polished surface. When you want to make your investment last, there are a number of ways to repair concrete driveways.
Most driveways begin to crack, fade, or break apart after years of heavy use. As you drive over rough terrain or lay on wet surfaces for extended periods of time, these elements gradually weaken the concrete. When you do not apply the right materials or patching compounds, your driveway cracks, splits and breaks apart. Severe weather damage from rain or snow also adds up over time! When you need to repair your cracked, faded, or broken driveway, you have several options.
You can start by replacing the entire old concrete driveway with a new synthetic product. There are several brands available, but these replacements usually don’t cost much more than the price of an old concrete driveway. In fact, many people choose this option because they want to save money. Synthetic products are built to last, have less cracking, are easy to clean, and can actually increase the value of your home!
If you prefer a simpler, more affordable option, consider contacting a contractor to perform a simple repair. Some companies may offer this service as part of a promotion or free of charge. Simply contact your chosen company to discuss the possibility of a simple repair to your concrete driveway. Many will come to your house to inspect the damage and suggest possible solutions. Depending on the severity of the damage, some companies may even be able to remove the damaged pavement from your home and dispose of it for you!
Of course, if the damage is severe, your best option is to hire a professional to repair your concrete driveway for you. When choosing a contractor for this service, you can do a few things to ensure you get the best results. First, ask if they specialize in this type of repair. Hiring a company that specializes in weather conditions may not only lower your costs, it may also help you avoid costly mistakes during the repair process.
Most people think of concrete driveways as smooth, mirror-like surfaces. While they reflect light, the surface is porous, with pockets and voids where water or other forms of moisture can penetrate. Over time, these tiny holes and pockets become larger and thus appear like small cracks. If you leave these holes repaired, your home’s value decreases, and your landscaping looks unsightly. In addition to damaging your property and devaluing your home, failing to repair damaged cracks or holes in your concrete driveway also increases your risk of serious, life-threatening flooding or other water damage to your home.
A reputable concrete driveway professional will assess the damage and determine the course of action necessary to repair the damage. Once the extent of the damage has been determined, your repair expert will discuss what steps will be best for your particular situation. In most cases, your repair professional will recommend that you contact a qualified, licensed, exterior coating manufacturer to obtain a sealant that is designed to fill in any gaps on your damaged surface. These sealants prevent water from seeping into the area between the cracks and pores of the concrete surface, causing stains or cracks and dulling or wearing away the appearance of the surface over time. If your cracks are small, some exterior coating products can actually repair the damage and make your cracked driveway even shiny and new again.
For minor repairs, you may decide to patch the cracks yourself. Home repair forums are a great resource for DIY repairs for all types of home improvement projects. In the case of concrete driveway repairs, some people have actually turned their very cracked driveways into works of art by applying various colors and designs to them. To save time and money, you should consult with your trusted advice provider before beginning any home improvement project, including the repair of any cracks or holes in your driveway. You will be glad you took advantage of the trusted advice of your trusted expert.