Concrete driveways can be used outside a home or an office. Concrete is known to be the most versatile and long lasting building material. Concrete is made using gravel, cement and water. All these three materials are mixed well to make concrete for building walls, driveways and pavements. A concrete driveway could get damaged over the time due to the use of heavy vehicles or exposure to bad climatic conditions like excessive snow or ice.
While repairing the concrete driveways, it is important to remove the damaged pieces with care. After removing the dislodged and crumbled driveways pieces, they can be disposed using a wheelbarrow or a waste bin. The remaining area can be filled with new gravel. All the empty holes should be properly filled with at least two inches of gravel. Wired mesh pieces can be places on the holes.
A smaller barrel or a large bucket can be used to make the concrete mixture to be poured on the gravel. Take some water and blend in the concrete mix as per the given instructions. A sturdy rod or paddle can be used to stir the concrete mixture for a smooth texture. This is a critical step and should be done with care. After mixing, the concrete can be poured on the holes and other damaged areas of the broken driveway.
The concrete mesh should be carefully adjusted in the center of the opening of each hole. This can be done using a clothes hanger or an identical tool. As the concrete mixture sets into the gravels and the holes, it needs to be smothered down using a heavy trowel or a wooden float. The whole area should be left to dry for three or four hours. The repaired area needs to be covered with waterproof sheets and plastic. Take away the sheet to water the driveway once a day for proper curing of concrete.
The minor holes and cracks in the concrete driveway can be repaired using some latex cement. It does not need to be undercut or chipped. The dislodged area should be cleaned and washed using a water hose. Prepare the latex cement into a smooth paste and pour it over the whole area. Allow the layer to be partly dry and apply another layer. Always use a metal or a heavy trowel to smooth each concrete or cement layer.
Homes with huge trees near the concrete driveway can cause cracks on it due to the root system. Water or drainage lines below the driveway can also cause cracks or damage. These drain and water lines should be rightly buried and the trenches should be filled. If this is not done properly, heavy rains may cause sinking beneath the driveway and cause damage to it.
Critical cracks to the concrete driveway might require it to be replaced. In case of minor cracks, they can be repaired using concrete fillers and latex cement mixtures. Concrete fillers can be used to repair the minor cracks and make them less visible. In case a larger area of the concrete needs repair or replacement, it might cost more than $30 per square foot. The newly repaired driveway should be left to dry for five days or a week. It should be watered once every day to be cured.
Avoid driving any vehicle over the repaired area for a week. The repaired concrete driveway should be allowed to totally dry before it is subjected to heavy loads or vehicles. Due to high wear and tear, driveways tend to develop cracks and need to be repaired after prolonged use. The driveways carry heavy loads and hence, the repaired area should be able to resist higher pressure. An attractive driveway can add curb appeal to the home’s exterior. Timely repair can prevent further damage to the concrete driveway.
