Over time, your concrete driveway is bound to show a little wear and tear. Small cracks are a minor problem that you may be able to fix yourself, but large cracks or holes may be best left to the professionals.
When to Make Repairs Yourself
Unless your driveway has a large number of cracks or it starts to show signs of structural problems, you can probably take care of minor problems yourself. All you need to do to take care of isolated holes and small cracks is to fill them with a high quality concrete patching compound. Concrete repairs are best done during the spring or summer when the weather is warm and dry. If you notice cracks or holes during the winter, you can fill them temporarily with concrete caulk to prevent water from seeping into the crack and causing it to spread. When the weather warms up, you can then perform a more permanent repair.
To repair holes and cracks in your concrete driveway, use a hammer and chisel to chisel out a section of the hole or crack, making it wider at the top than the bottom. Next, brush in some latex bonding glue, then fill in the area with a patching compound. After repairing an area, keep it covered with a plastic sheet or tarp for at least one week. If your driveway has been painted, you may also need to fill in the area with masonry paint so the repaired area matches the reset of your driveway.
When to Call a Professional
If your driveway starts to exhibit multiple cracks or deep holes, or if areas of concrete begin to pop up out of the driveway, it may be a job best for a professional. In Memphis, SurfaceScapes are trained experts on not only repairing concrete driveways but we have a range of tools and expertise to help beautify the concrete once the repairs are done.
Resurfacing a concrete driveway is a common way of improving a homes curb appeal while adding value and decor. A professional concrete service technician will be able to tell you whether the problem can be repaired or if an entire section of the driveway needs to be replaced.
For concrete driveways, small cracks and other minor cosmetic problems are typically simple enough for the average homeowner to repair. When the problem becomes widespread or if it is a structural issue, however, it is best to leave the repairs to a Memphis concrete repair and resurfacing professional.