Driveway Repair & Replacement Options

DRIVEWAY REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

Concrete is a very durable material that, with proper installation, can last for many years. Even driveways subjected to normal wear and tear can cause cracks and other imperfections.

Please avoid rushing when it comes to something as important as your driveway, even though it may be tempting to save time and money. Major issues can arise if you attempt to repair your driveway when a replacement is required.

Check out these key points to help you decide whether a repair or replacement is the better option in your particular situation.

Driveway Repair

Every driveway will show signs of wear and tear from use and natural outdoor elements such as rain, snow, and sun. Very small or "hairline" cracks are expected and pose no danger. Control joints were most likely used in the construction of newer driveways. Control joints, typically spaced every 8' to 10', help control where hairline cracks form, hence the name.

Driveway cracks less than a quarter-inch wide are usually not indicative of more serious damage to the concrete surface and can be repaired. You can repair the cracks by simply filling them in or resurfacing them. This entails filling the cracks with liquid crack fillers and then sealing them with an overlay.

Larger driveway cracks frequently indicate more serious structural problems. Filling in those cracks is only a short-term solution.

Though you can do your own resurfacing, keep in mind that filling cracks isn't as simple as you might think and is a highly specialized type of work. As a result, it may be prudent to hire a professional contractor to complete this repair work. However, be wary of offers to repair driveway cracks for a few hundred dollars. Cracks must be opened up, sanded, prepped, and then appropriately filled. This takes time and expert craftsmanship. While repair work is less expensive than new slab installation, reputable contractors will charge more than a few hundred dollars.

There's also the matter of driveway assurance. Many contractors will provide some guarantee on driveway projects but not on driveway repairs.

Concrete driveways with deep holes, multiple holes, large cracks, and/or drainage issues will eventually need to be replaced. Patching may buy you some time and delay a replacement by a few years, but it will require hard work if you do it yourself and an investment of time and money if you hire professional contractors. If the concrete is completely cracked, it should be replaced right away.

Driveway Replacement 

If your driveway is over 20 years old, it's probably time for a complete driveway replacement replacement. Older driveways were typically built without rebar reinforcement and/or with a sub-base that contained little or no base rock, making them susceptible to various cracking types.

Deeper cracks that are not repaired will corrode the rebar, and the subbase will wash out and settle, causing some areas to sink while others lift. Uneven slabs are a hazard to one's safety. 

People may easily trip over raised edges along the surface of your driveway, and water/ice can accumulate if your driveway drainage is poor. Not to mention that these imperfections make your property look unsightly.

Aside from the practical considerations of safety and utility, it may be time to replace your driveway if you want a different style to match your house or better suit your aesthetic preferences.

Reliable Driveway Replacement Contractors in Lincoln and Omaha, NE

There are many reasons why you should replace your driveway: the material is brittle and undergoing severe structural deterioration, your driveway is no longer safe to drive on, or your driveway is showing its age, and you have decided to restore its appearance. The benefits of replacing your driveways far outweigh any drawbacks, and if you wait too long to act, the damage can become severe, and it will cost you much more than you would like to repair.

We assure you that you are in excellent hands with our skilled technicians, and we always strive to ensure that our customers are delighted with our services. Contact C&C Concrete Contractors immediately if you need the best concrete contractors in Omaha and Lincoln, NE!