Cracked Concrete Driveway-- Is it worth fixing?
A Driveway with cracked concrete should be replaced if due to widespread, deep cracks, settlement or sunken concrete. If concrete has cosmetic cracks, frost heaves, scaling or even potholes, it can be successfully repaired with FlexSet, PolyFlexDS or Concrete Welder in cartridges.
If the subsurface is not secure, you would not want to patch these cracks and then spend money resurfacing the concrete or doing a decorative topping. If the base is shifting before repairs, we recommend replacement.
Cosmetic Cracks or Scaling
For a few minor cracks or scaling, sweep the area clean and insert Concrete Welder with the cartridge using a dual-chamber cartridge gun. Use a straight edge to smooth the material if it flows above the surface of the crack. For a larger crack you can also use Concrete Welder but pre-place some of Roklin’s coated sand into the crack first. We suggest staying just below grade so you can add some topping sand for traction. The polymer will foam a little if there is water present.
Frost Heaves or Potholes
Frost heaves are common in cold climates. Moisture in the ground freezes, expands and the concrete pushes upward.
FlexSet can be used to fill frost heaves and potholes. Sweep or blow all dirt and debris out of dry concrete. Mix up a bucket of FloMix and it pour it into the damaged area. Feather it using a trowel or lute and top with the provided sand.
Widespread, deep cracks, settlement has occurred
When concrete is cracked all the way through the surface due to the weight of heavy trucks, improper preparation of sub grade, erosion of sub grade, or any other reason:
Get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade (sometimes existing material is ok)
- Remove the concrete
- Remove the sub grade
- Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
- Compact the sub grade
- Pour back concrete
Whether you do the job yourself or contract it, these are the steps to follow:
Sunken Concrete
Sunken concrete occurs when the sub grade was not properly prepared. Loose dirt may have been used for the sub grade. When this dirt settles-sometimes due to sprinkler or rain water going under the concrete the concrete is unsupported and will be more susceptible to sinking.
It is possible that the sub grade was compacted and the concrete was subjected to extreme weight which caused the concrete to sink. This can often be fixed with special equipment that raises the concrete without damaging the slab.
As with deep cracks and settlement, get the advice of a local soils engineer on sub grade preparation for your area and material needed to prepare sub grade.
- Remove the concrete
- Remove the sub grade
- Replace sub grade with compactable material (sometimes existing material is ok)
- Compact the sub grade
- Pour back concrete
Many concrete driveway repairs can actually be done by a handy homeowner. Using FloMix, PolyFlexDS Gray and/or Concrete Welder is a simple solution for your driveway repair.