How to Avoid Making Driveway Cracks Worse 

Did you know that a concrete driveway can last up to 40 years? But to extend the driveway life, you need to take care of it. Your best bet is to prevent driveway cracks — and repair existing ones as soon as possible.

Read on to learn how to avoid making driveway cracks worse!

Try Sealant to Repair Driveway Cracks

A patching compound or sealant is an effective way to repair driveway cracks that are smaller. Using a flexible sealant can help prevent these cracks from expanding. Remove any debris first, and chisel away materials as needed to make the crack a uniform width.

Why the flexibility? Depending on the temperature, a driveway will expand or contract. As a result, you need a sealant that can move with the materials and stay affixed to the edges.

Fortunately, concrete is a long-lasting driveway solution if you tackle minor cracks quickly. Click here to learn about why it’s the best pavement project option!

Use Control Joints

Even the best driveway will encounter cracks at some point. And that’s especially true of larger concrete slabs. With soil movement and moisture changes, the likelihood of cracks goes up.

By introducing control joints, you create an intentional crack in the concrete. These intentional cracks will help direct other unintended cracks. They can even be mapped out in a decorative fashion on your driveway!

Turn to Resurfacing

While replacing a concrete driveway is a time-consuming process, resurfacing offers a simpler solution. You’ll start by cleaning the surface and covering smaller cracks with sealant. Then use an abrasive material to open up the concrete surface so it bonds with the coating.

Use a trowel to apply a proper resurfacing coating and give it a day to dry. The coating, which includes Portland cement and fine sands, should be applied up to an inch thick. Afterward, seal it for an added layer of protection.

And for very large cracks, you may only need to replace a slab. For cracks that are confined to one area, this is a little easier. You can replace the damaged piece without replacing everything. 

Prevent Driveway Cracks

Wondering how to prevent driveway cracks? There are steps you can take to avoid driveway cracks in the first place, too. For instance, stick to sand to help provide winter driving traction on your driveway rather than salt, which can be corrosive.

How is the drainage on your property? If clogged gutters are leaking water, that water can find its way to your driveway. If a cold front sweeps through, that water will freeze and cause cracks.

Remove excess water from your driveway. And if you have multiple heavy vehicles, park them elsewhere to avoid taxing the driveway surface.

Avoid Making Driveway Cracks Worse

Driveway cracks look bad and compromise the structural integrity of your parking pad. Use a reputable sealant or resurface your driveway to help repair driveway cracks. And prevent them by cleaning your driveway and using control joints to direct cracks.

Get the news you need to keep your home in good shape. Check back for new articles soon!