If you’ve ever taken the time to look at yours or someone else’s driveway, you may have noticed that it has cracks here and there. As you well know, cracks on driveways can be a cause for headaches, not only because they make driving on it a little less ideal, but they essentially hurt the aesthetics of your property. Not only that, but it’ll drop the value of your home significantly, not to mention cost you money to get it fixed.
In this article, we’ll share with you about what causes cracked driveways in the first place, as well as what you can do to fix it.
The causes of cracked driveways
Know that there are several reasons your driveway cracks. It can be caused due to immense pressure or stress applied onto the surface of the driveway, which leads to cracks, such as the movement of the surface of the earth or a heavy object placed on top of it. Cracked driveways can also be the consequence of improper installation.
Heat plays a significant role as well in cracking driveways, more so in ruining its structural integrity. This is because heat causes the driveway to dry out, hurting the asphalt that makes up the installation, putting the entire fixture at a higher risk of damage.
Keep in mind that moisture can damage it as well. When temperatures drop to freezing, the water on it can freeze on, within, and below the driveway. When the ice melts, these different aspects can shift, placing much stress on it.
How to address cracked driveways
First, you’ll need to check how big the cracks are. If they’re small (less than a quarter of an inch wide), you can quickly fill it up with some concrete caulk or any similar material. Anything more significant in size than that, you’ll need to have them completely sealed with concrete by applying some into and on top of the crack, smoothing it down to make it blend with the driveway.
If your driveway is far beyond repair, you’ll need to have the entire installation repaired. If the driveway is cracked but has been fixed in the past, you’ll need to install a new driveway as well, because the structural integrity of the original installation has already been compromised.
The easiest way to go about replacing your driveway would be to hire professionals first to demolish the entire place and install a new driveway. The great thing about working with experts is that not only will they do a thorough job of cleaning up the old driveway, but they’ll figure out what material is best for your needs to ensure maximum durability, performance, and aesthetics for the long run.
Final words
Cracked driveways are inevitable over time. Due to natural or human-made forces, driveways experience stress over time, hurting its structural integrity and putting it at risk of breaking. To that end, it is highly recommended that you hire professionals, such as Cremin Surfacing, to have your driveway fixed because they’ll know what to do to ensure that the solution is a long-lasting one, as well as ensure that the job is well efficiently and effectively.
If you’re looking for concrete driveway services in Cornwall, get in touch with us today to see how we can help.