There’s nothing worse than seeing cracks ruin the aesthetics of your home’s driveway—but did you know that these lines can pose more of a threat?
When cracks break up the surface of your concrete, they allow moisture to work its way in. This in turn can lead to more cracks, which can make it harder and harder to drive your vehicle across the surface. Not to mention the fact that it hurts your home’s curb appeal and resale value!
If you’re looking for ways to seal up those annoying cracks, all you’ll need are some simple products and a little elbow grease. Here’s what you should know about how to repair driveway cracks in concrete.
How to Repair Driveway Cracks in Concrete
Before you move onto the next steps, head outside to take a look at your driveway cracks.
If you’re seeing fine, hairline cracks in your concrete driveway, your task may not be too difficult. With deeper cracks that stretch about ¼ inch wide, you may not have serious damage, but with cracks over ¼ inch wide, you may want to consider a cement replacement.
Filling Hairline Cracks
Fine cracks, also called crazing, will sometimes appear when cement dries too fast. In other words, you’re more likely to find these cracks with a rushed driveway rather than on high-quality properties like those of Bruce Champion Real Estate. These minor cracks aren’t a sign of serious damage, however, and you won’t need to replace the cement.
Instead, you can find a resurfacing product at a home improvement store, as these products are designed to fill in superficial wear. Clean the area with a pressure washer and use the resurfacing product as required in the instructions.
Filling Cracks Under ¼ Inch
For slightly larger cracks, you’ll need to get your hands on concrete crack filler, also known as driveway sealer.
With this product, you’ll again want to pressure wash the area before you apply it. Don’t forget to also remove any debris in the area. With most fillers, you’ll simply use the applicator attached to the bottle to squeeze small amounts of filler into the cracks. If you prefer, you can follow up with a squeegee for a flat appearance.
Filling Cracks Larger Than ¼ Inch
For deeper cracks, especially those deeper than ¼ inch, you may want to debate filling the cracks vs. replacing the driveway. Large cracks can be a sign of structural issues with the concrete, and filling them may only put a band-aid on a more severe problem.
You can use concrete crack filler on these cracks, as noted above, but this will not prevent future cracks from forming as you drive over the cement. Consider reaching out to a professional to know whether you need to replace the driveway to get it smooth again.
Bring Your Driveway Back Up to Speed
Now that you know how to repair driveway cracks in concrete, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get started! Depending on the state of your concrete, just a little effort can help you return your concrete to a smooth and attractive state, allowing you to remove pitting and cracks with ease.
Want more of the essential real estate tips you need to know? Check out our other posts for more insights!
