Protect Driveway From Cracking, Pitting And Crumbling

It doesn’t matter how nice your home looks on the inside. If your driveway is cracked and crumbling, your home will lose a lot of points when it comes to curb appeal. But isn’t driveway decay just an unavoidable part of life?

Believe it or not, there are actually ways you can protect your driveway from breaking down over time. At Baird Foundation Repair, we specialize in concrete repair solutions. If you want your driveway to stay solid for years to come, here are the signs of driveway damage and the steps you can take to avoid it.

What Causes Driveway Cracks?

Although some cracks occur due to poor installation and a lack of proper reinforcement, most cracks are caused by the influence of water. There are a few ways the water can cause driveway cracks. For instance, too much water can cause the soil supporting your driveway to wash away.

On the flip side, too little water can lead to dry soil that shrinks, placing a strain on the concrete. In states that experience temperatures below freezing each year, a process called the freeze-thaw cycle can cause significant damage to your driveway.

Since concrete absorbs a lot of water, freezing temperatures can cause the water inside the concrete to freeze. As you may know, water expands when it freezes, causing the concrete to weaken and break down. Once the water melts, the concrete may crumble or crack over time.

How To Prevent Driveway Damage

There are a few different ways to prevent and repair driveway damage. In severe cases, it’s necessary to replace concrete driveways. Since this is expensive and can be a hassle, protecting your existing driveway is an important part of home maintenance.

Driveway Leveling

Soil erosion and shrinking can cause your driveway to sink over time, creating an unlevel and cracked surface. There are a few different leveling techniques that you can schedule to protect your driveway from further damage.

One option is mudjacking, which involves pumping a mixture of sand, cement and soil underneath your driveway to lift it up. Small holes are drilled into the surface of your driveway and a muddy mixture is forced underneath the slab. Once the mudjacking is complete, any cracks can be filled to ensure your driveway is looking its best.

Another option is the polylevel approach. The process is similar to mudjacking, but the holes drilled on the surface of your driveway are smaller, and fewer are needed. An expanding foam is injected underneath your driveway to lift it up and level it, much like mud is injected during mudjacking.

Concrete Repair

Even if your driveway is level, you may still have ugly concrete damage that needs to be repaired to improve the appearance. The best way to repair concrete is to hire a professional to fill cracks and replace crumbling concrete. A professional will remove any weeds and pieces of broken concrete before going in with a filler and sealer to fix the damage.

Driveway Sealer

The best way to protect your driveway from weather damage and cracks is to coat it with a sealer. Although some homeowners choose to do this job themselves, hiring a professional will ensure the job is done correctly and the materials are of high quality.

Driveway sealers can prolong the lifespan of your driveway by up to twenty years. Although you’ll need to seal your driveway every few years, you’ll avoid frequent damage and the need for a replacement. We recommend resealing your driveway every 2-3 years to ensure your driveway is always looking its best.

Repair Your Driveway Today!

If your Texas home needs a driveway refresh, Baird Foundation Repair can help. Whether your driveway needs to be replaced or you just want to get it sealed for protection, our team is well-equipped to complete the job. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!