Fix-it solutions for cracked driveways, patios and sidewalks
If your driveway, patio or sidewalk is starting to show signs of wear and tear and the cracks are making it look more like a jigsaw puzzle, it might be time to repair it. Or should you replace it?
First, it's important to understand why paved surfaces start to crack. “It's all about maintenance,” says Lee Collins, concrete technical expert with Sakrete, a manufacturer of paving materials and repair and maintenance products. “You can't just set out a concrete driveway or an asphalt driveway and never seal it or never maintain it, because it's going to go bad. Erosion, what's underneath the soil, even burrowing animals, can also cause a small washout that will cause it to crack.”
Weather is also a factor. “In New York, for example, de-icing salts will degrade and eat up concrete, so if you don't keep your driveways clean, the salt will ruin it,” he says.
Paved surfaces also are susceptible to damage from heavy rain and snow runoff.
Deciding whether to repair or replace will depend on its condition. “If your concrete driveway has a lot of cracks, then it would probably be best to use a jackhammer,” Collins says. “If you try patching a driveway that's in such dilapidated condition, you're going to end up doing repairs over again because some products peel from the surface.”
Collins suggests cleaning cement with a pressure washer to test its condition. “If it is a hairline crack and a pressure washer hardly does any damage, then we would probably use a bond, or a flo-coat on it,” he says. “If it leaves a wide enough crack, there are other cement products that go to 2 inches in thickness.”
Moderate cement repairs can be done as a DIY project. “The most time is going to be in the prep than it is to patch it,” Collins says. “If it's not that severe, then an average homeowner who can handle a trowel can do it.”
Justin Smith, the owner of All State Paving in Poughkeepsie, New York, says cracks in asphalt aren't as easy to repair. “You can put a thin layer of hot tar over it or replace the whole thing,” he says. “You can do some repairs on your own, but if you can lift the asphalt cracks up in your hand, it's best to call in a professional.”
Collins urges homeowners to not fall for door-to-door scams from pavers looking to pawn off extra sealant for asphalt driveways. “If your driveway is in good shape, then extra sealant can even help to protect it from the elements and keep a lot of things from getting underneath it,” he says. “However, sealing over cracks isn't going to do any good though because the cracks will just come through again.”
The National Asphalt Paving Association says that asphalt that is “left over” from another job will be too cool to make a good pavement for your home.
If you are hiring a repair professional, Collins says to make sure they're bonded and have insurance. Bonded means that a company has secured money that is available to you, the homeowner, in case you file a claim against the company. “Get everything in writing,” he says. “If something goes wrong, then you have a means to get back in touch with them to have it fixed. You need a company that's going to be honest with you because some companies just want to rip everything out and start all over again.”
Your driveway is one of the first things someone sees when they come to your home and it's important to make a good first impression. Taking care of your driveway should be just as important as mowing your lawn and trimming the hedges.