Have you recently noticed that the cracks in your driveway are getting bigger? When you step onto your driveway to fetch the mail, are there any water puddles or potential tripping hazards? The time may have come to replace your concrete, so it's a good idea to pay attention to these symptoms.
Everyone likes to think that their driveways will endure forever and that they won't ever need to be repaired, which is a hassle. Nevertheless, the truth is that they are all susceptible to deterioration over time and will ultimately require some care. If your driveway is more than 10 to 15 years old, it could be time to evaluate its state and decide whether you need to replace your concrete.
As concrete contractors, we can tell that surface distress will gradually begin to appear on your driveway regardless of how well you take care of it. Warm and cold temperatures, drainage problems, and wear and tear from everyday car weight from driving over and standing on driveways are just a few of the elements that lead to surface distress.
It is important to notice these signs of deterioration before the situation worsens. So, as the best concrete contractors, we have compiled a list of 6 signs that indicate it is time to replace your concrete and repair your driveway!
Signs Your Driveway Needs Repair
Emerging Cracks
The most obvious symptom that your driveway requires maintenance is undoubtedly cracking. They often emerge along the surface of the driveway or across it. Cracks may also result from heavy use or point to a problem with the driveway's structure.
The thing that makes driveway cracks especially hazardous is that they serve as a point of entry for water to seep into the deeper layers of the concrete and reach the foundation of your home. A small crack in your driveway could develop into an "alligator skin"-like the pattern of cracks very fast.
You won't be able to repair your driveway if this occurs. Hence, it is suggested to replace your concrete by hiring the best concrete contractors ASAP!
Numerous Potholes
Potholes in your driveway can interfere with how well your car works, just like potholes in the road can harm moving vehicles. Typically, driveway cracks that go neglected would develop potholes. If a fracture is not fixed, it may grow and spread over time, creating a sizable gap that may compromise the driveway's structure.
Your driveway has to be repaired if you've noticed any potholes. These puddles of potholed water hastened the inevitable deterioration of the driveway's substructure. Potholes will only deepen due to water seeping through the driveway's strata, endangering both you and your car. They may potentially seriously harm your car's suspension system, so replace your concrete as soon as you see potholes developing.
Puddles of Water
One of the most obvious warning signs that your driveway requires repair and you should replace your concrete is water accumulating. Water pooling typically happens when the wear-and-tear dimples on your driveway begin to collect water.
The driveway should have a modest slope to prevent water from building into the cracks. Water-filled pools are not only a nuisance on rainy days but can also hasten your driveway aging. What's worse is that the foundations of your home could be harmed if the stored water seeps through the upper layer of your driveway.
Disintegrating Borders
Cracks, potholes, and standing water are obvious indicators of driveway degradation, but so are disintegrating borders. If the problem is not immediately fixed, the driveway structure will begin to disintegrate and require significant repairs. Infiltrated water will mostly impact the driveway's edges, causing them to become loose and split apart from the remainder of the asphalt construction. The need to replace your concrete should be obvious enough from crumbling driveway margins.
Crumbling driveway borders can also be a sign that the top driveway surface is not strong enough or has had significant damage, in addition to being a sign of severe flood damage. So, it is best to contact the best concrete contractors in your area ASAP!
Concrete Discoloration
There could be color variations, unattractive stripes, black stains, or blotchy patches on your concrete driveway. All of these indicate harm. Such discoloration could be caused by the following:
- Unreliable combinations
- Using too much or not enough water to mix concrete
- Utilizing inferior cement and aggregates for construction
- Improper construction
- Weakened cure process
- Calcium chloride is added to speed up setting
Be aware that discoloration affects more than just appearance. It's crucial to address the issue and replace your concrete by hiring reputable concrete contractors as soon as you see it because it can result in structural degradation.
Ruts
There's a good probability that you frequently drive by and park in the same location. In other words, these specific locations constantly carry greater weight than the others. As a result, the areas where the car tires pass may have sunken ditches or grooves. These are referred to as ruts.
Before the problem worsens, you should try to solve it as soon as possible. Additionally, rust promotes water stagnation on the driveway's concrete, a well-known wear and tear factor. So, we suggest you contact the metal contractors in your area ASAP to replace your concrete.
Envision that the lifespan of your driveway is about to expire. In that instance, mending might no longer be viable for fixing your property and might only serve as a temporary fix before you have to replace your concrete entirely. To establish your driveway needs, we advise getting a free quote from one of our knowledgeable concrete contractors at US Quality Construction.
Don't hesitate to take action as soon as you see the above signs on your concrete driveway. Call a qualified specialist immediately for a more thorough diagnosis and guidance on what should be done.
You can save a lot of money by caring for such problems before they get out of hand. Maintaining your concrete driveway in good condition is a guaranteed method to raise your home's exterior appeal.
