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Driveway Crack Up
Do you have cracks in your driveway? You’ve probably never noticed before. Cracks seem to be such a common thing that no one thinks about it. Cracks in driveways can be caused by improperly cured concrete, settling of the ground below, crushing loads from a truck, tree roots, drainage issues and soil erosion. They can get worse so here’s some more info.
Significant crack, tripping hazard, talk to a pro
If left alone driveway (and walkway) cracks can continue to expand, allow space for water to enter, and when they displace – one edge becomes a tripping hazard. I’ve seen cracks that have slowly expanded as water freezes overnight repeatedly – like a concrete jaws-of-life. Serious cracks and crumbling from driveways need to be evaluated and repaired by a concrete contractor. These repairs can include tree removal, drain repairs, slab/mud-jacking, and replacement of damaged areas. Concrete work is surprisingly expensive!
If you have cracks that are 1/4 inch or smaller, seal them up. This will protect from moisture getting into these cracks. It will keep them free of dirt and future weeds. It will keep things looking good. Best of all, it will allow you to monitor for further displacement in the concrete slab.
What you will need: Caulking gun ($7) and tube of concrete sealant ($5), gloves, and paper towels for clean-up. Time – less than a hour. Clean the cracks and let them dry out before sealing them. Check the outdoor temperatures to make sure the sealant will cure properly. Get the job done…Now things are looking sharp and maintained!
