How To Know If Your Concrete Driveway Needs Repairs Or A Replacement?

Usually, a concrete driveway should last you around 30 years. However, certain factors can come into play and thereby shorten your driveway’s lifespan. As a result, you will experience discolouration, cracking, scaling and settlement on your driveway. When you experience any of the above-mentioned scenarios, there are multiple options for repairing your driveway. But, sometimes, even a full-on replacement can also be necessary.

To help you decide better on whether you should repair or replace your damaged concrete driveway in Melbourne, we suggest following our below-mentioned guide for obtaining a better idea regarding the same.

Driveway Problems That Arise Over Time

Even though concrete driveways provide a tonne of benefits to asphalt driveways, some problems may arise over time. Some of the common driveway issues that you’ll experience are:

• Cracks due to the heavyweight of the vehicles.

• Usual wear & tear.

• Cracks due to intrusion of tree roots.

• Presence of salt or oil stains.

• Damage suffered during the winter season.

• Damage suffered during the summer season.

• Improper installation of the concrete driveway.
• Chipping of the concrete surface.

Major Damage Signs To Look For In Your Concrete Driveway

• Small Cracks

If you find small cracks that are less in length than 1/4th of an inch, then the same must be repaired, before the cracks inflict further damage to the driveway. This is because water can enter these cracks and thereby freeze, leading to the deepening & widening of the cracks. 

• Potholes

Similar to cracks, potholes must be repaired before they can lead to more damage. By repairing your driveway potholes at the correct moment, you will be able to enhance the curb appeal & safety of your driveway. 

• Crumbling Edges

In case the edges of your driveway are slowly crumbling, then it could be possible that the sides of the concrete driveway were thin when the driveway was installed. To prevent further damage, you need to provide additional edging.

• Sunken Areas

If you notice that your driveway is sinking in certain places, then you have to level those sunken areas to make your driveway safe. 

• Colours Have Faded

It should be known that concrete colours tend to fade over time. However, such an issue can be fixed easily with a new application of concrete stain & sealer. 

How To Know Whether Your Driveway Needs Repairing?

In case your driveway is currently more than ten years old, then you need to consider making repairs first & foremost, instead of trying to replace the same. Repairs will always be a better option for driveways that have been recently installed. 

Furthermore, if the foundation of your driveway is intact and only the top layer has been damaged, then you can proceed to opt for a driveway resurfacing. The process of resurfacing includes tearing only the top layer of the driveway (instead of the entire driveway) and thereby replacing the same. 

Some repair solutions include:

• Slabjacking

• Concrete Resurfacing

• Concrete Engraving
• Recolouring

How To Know If Your Driveway Needs A Replacement?

A driveway replacement is necessary for any of the following scenarios:

• Presence of large cracks on your driveway.

• The concrete driveway is more than 20 years old.

• The concrete driveway wasn’t installed properly.
• The sub-base of the driveway has been eroded.

For more information on concrete driveways, don’t hesitate to connect with us.