Seasonal weather fluctuations, ultraviolet rays from sunlight and the weight of vehicles take their toll on asphalt or concrete driveways. Repairing minor damage quickly saves money and keeps your driveway functional.
A professional can handle more extensive damage and repairs to your driveway. From filling cracks to resurfacing the entire driveway, you can restore your driveway to its original condition without having to replace it completely. Contact Driveway Repair Charles Town WV for professional help.
When cracks appear in a concrete driveway, it is important to inspect the cause. In most cases, the cracks are not a significant problem, but it is a sign that some structural repairs may be needed.
It’s a good idea to hire a professional contractor for structural repair, especially in areas with wide cracks and large holes. These areas require more extensive work than repairing surface cracks and should be repaired as soon as possible.
Cracks can be caused by many different factors. The most common causes are freeze and thaw cycles and ground movement, both of which can be more severe in some regions. During these cycles, water expands when it freezes, which puts pressure on the concrete and causes it to crack. This is particularly problematic for concrete driveways, since they have a low load-bearing capacity.
The good news is that small surface cracks usually aren’t a major concern and can be filled with a quality driveway crack filler, like Quikrete’s concrete repair mix. However, if the cracks are wider than 1/4 inch, they will need to be filled with concrete backer rod and will probably need a professional repair job.
Once the cracks are filled, it’s a good idea to apply a resurfacing product to the entire surface of the driveway. This will protect it from further damage and improve the appearance of the driveway. The resurfacing product is mixed to a thinner consistency than the concrete used for crack repair, and should be brushed on using a trowel. A good quality concrete sealer can also be applied to the whole surface after the resurfacing.
For deeper and wider cracks, it might be necessary to use a chemical crack filler or epoxy injection to bond and strengthen the cracked area. These techniques can be quite effective, but they should only be used in expert hands. Before any crack or surface repair is done, it’s important to thoroughly clean the driveway to remove dirt, leaves, and other debris that could prevent a proper adhesion between the repair material and the existing concrete. It is also important to apply a good quality bonding agent, such as a specialized concrete bonding cement, to the existing surface before applying any patching compound or resurfacer.
Potholes
The most common way of repairing a gravel driveway pothole is to loosen just enough of the surrounding gravel that you can take that loose gravel and fill in the pothole. Afterwards, you will then run your tractor or ATV over it to pack it down. While this does give the appearance of fixing the pothole it really doesn’t last and that pothole will be laughing at you the next time it rains or the first vehicle passes through it!
Often times the reason for a pothole is because the driving surface (top layer of gravel) is sitting lower than the base layer. This allows water to soften the top layer of gravel and then wash away the base underneath, leaving a hole. Potholes can also form if the crown of a driveway is too low and allows water to sit in the area rather than being allowed to drain off.
When you get potholes in your driveway, the best thing to do is fix them quickly before they get worse and to keep vehicles from hitting them, which can cause damage to the vehicle or even the drive train. There are several ways to repair potholes in a gravel driveway. One is to add a binder to the new layer of gravel and compact it with a tamper or hand-held compactor. Another is to fill the pothole or rut with coarse gravel and compact it. Finally, you can use a commercial binder to help the new layer of gravel adhere to the existing layers.
If you have a corrugated surface on your driveway, this usually indicates that the base layer of the driveway is damaged and needs to be replaced. This is a job for heavy machinery and can be very expensive to have done.
If you have a blacktop driveway, you can use bagged asphalt to patch the pothole. This is a much cheaper option than replacing the entire driveway with new asphalt. Before you start laying the asphalt, make sure that the pothole is clean and free of any rocks or debris. Once the asphalt is laid, it is important to heat it again. This will soften it and allow the new asphalt to adhere better to the existing pavement.
Erosion
A rutted, pitted driveway not only looks unattractive but can damage your car or pose a tripping hazard. It can also cost a lot of money to repair and replace. You can reduce the frequency of these problems by regularly performing preventive maintenance, such as cleaning your driveway.
Water is the main cause of erosion in asphalt driveways. Whether from downspouts that direct runoff onto the driveway, misplaced irrigation water or heavy rainfall, erosion can quickly deteriorate your paved surface. You can avoid this problem by ensuring that downspouts and gutters are properly positioned to divert water away from your driveway, and by making sure sprinklers and drip systems are directed elsewhere.
Another cause of erosion is animal burrows. Chinchillas, woodchucks and other burrowing animals can weaken concrete slabs by tunnelling into the soil below them. This can wash away the supporting soil and leave voids under the concrete, which causes the slab to sink and crack over time.
To help prevent this, you can install water bars along your driveway. These are cross sections fortified with treated lumber and rebar spikes that help to divert water off of the driveway and reduce erosion over time. You can also dig trenches along your driveway and line them with gravel or plants, which will help to catch the water and keep it from washing away your driveway.
The quality of concrete is another factor in its resistance to erosion. If your concrete was not poured accurately or has low-density soil, it may erode more rapidly than higher-quality, more expansive and clay-based soil. In addition, heavy vehicles driving over a poorly-supported driveway can cause cracks and further erosion.
To repair cracked concrete, you can use a chemical-resistant, polyurethane patching compound that is designed to resist abrasion and UV radiation. You can purchase this product from many home improvement stores or online retailers, and it is easy to apply. Clean the cracks of dirt, plants and debris, hose them clean and spray with a weed killer before applying the patching compound. If the cracks are large and have caused the concrete to sink, you can perform a more extensive repair technique called geo-polymer injection slabjacking. This involves injecting a high-density polyurethane foam under the driveway to lift it and stabilize it.
Stains
Stains in your driveway are a major eyesore, detracting from the overall beauty of your property. They can also be a real pain to remove, especially when they are caused by petroleum-based chemicals like gasoline, oil, transmission fluid and motor oil. The key to avoiding them is prompt cleaning as soon as a spill occurs. If you know what to look for and are willing to put in a little elbow grease, you can usually get most stains out of your concrete driveway without a lot of difficulty.
Natural stains from lawn debris and mulch are relatively easy to remove, but they can be difficult to prevent once they have established themselves in the concrete. Regular rinsing with a hose is the best way to keep these kinds of stains at bay. However, once they have really set in a bit it may take some more vigorous action on your part to bring them back to a pristine condition.
Whether it was caused by your neighbor’s oil-leaking golf cart or by an accidental spill while adding gas to your vehicle, oil stains are among the most difficult to remove from concrete and asphalt driveways. They are also dangerous to walk on, as the slippery substance can cause slipping and injury.
If you notice an oil stain, act immediately to soak up as much of the substance as possible. A mop or shop towel works well, or you can use a bag of non-clumping cat litter to hide the stain and allow it to soak overnight. Powdered laundry detergent and a stiff brush can also be used to attack oil stains.
If you do notice a stain, clean the affected area with mild soap and water, rather than using a power washer, to avoid further damaging the concrete surface. You can then try a commercial concrete cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. A tinted sealant can also help to conceal any remaining stains and balance out the coloration of your driveway. If your driveway is still discolored after all these efforts, an experienced contractor such as Easter Concrete Contracting can recommend the right concrete mix based on industry standards, which will reduce the likelihood of unsightly staining and color fading.