Concrete driveways may deteriorate more quickly than they would otherwise due to environmental factors, particularly rain. In a similar vein, abnormal live loading can speed up deterioration. You should keep an eye out for warning signs of serious damage so that you can respond quickly if necessary. When problems are ignored, they can grow bigger and more difficult to fix.

Here are four signs that it’s time to resurface your concrete driveway:

Cracks

Concrete cracks naturally. This typically happens as a result of temperature changes between cold and hot, which cause expansion and contraction. These cracks rarely exceed a quarter of an inch in width or depth. And you shouldn’t worry about them either. Water will not penetrate the concrete if you use a thin layer of mortar to seal the cracks.

But if you find a crack that’s more than twice as wide and twice as deep, you may want to consult an expert. Some breaks can be patched up right where they appeared. There are, however, situations in which a new driveway must be built.

Puddles Forming

A concrete driveway’s structural integrity is determined in part by how well it drains water. Because of this, water pooling in certain areas after a rainstorm is a clear sign that the slab has collapsed. This could be due to water seeping through the subbase. Soil typically serves as the subbase material, and over time, soil erodes and becomes weakened. Consequently, the weight of vehicles causes the concrete surface to sink.

By injecting grout under the slab to fill voids and provide uniform support, slab-jacking can correct this problem. Because of the complexity involved, you should hire a skilled professional.

Potholes

The term “pothole” refers to a depression in the pavement. The more there are, the more difficult it becomes to drive. Causes include:

  • Wear and tear caused by car tyre friction
  • Hailstones hitting the ground directly.
  • Water in surface cracks alternately freezes and thaws
  • A subbase that has not been compacted tightly enough
  • Waterlogging due to poor drainage
  • Damaged patches
  • The deterioration of the concrete caused by de-icing salt.

Your contractor’s recommendation to either resurface or construct a new concrete driveway will depend on the size and number of cracks in the existing driveway. Because they take in water and it drains to the foundation below, you won’t want to leave them in their current state. This causes further issues, such as the complete breakdown of the concrete driveway.

Chipped Edges

The edges of a concrete driveway often get damaged. If the border is hit hard enough, irregular concrete blocks could break away from the larger slab. The damage, if unchecked, could spread inward and destroy a sizable portion of the driveway.

Don’t forget that concrete is made by mixing cement, coarse and fine sand, and water. It requires a flat surface in order to maintain its integrity. However, a small issue can quickly grow when the coarse aggregates are exposed and driven over by car tyres. So, please, don’t neglect to repair any broken corners as soon as you notice them.

If you’re looking for concrete for domestic or commercial purposes, work with Forth Valley Concrete Ltd today. We supply ready mix concrete for jobs of all sizes, even offering same or next-day delivery. We can help with the whole process, from mix design all the way to concrete finish.