Cracks in your driveways are a common issue. Whatever material is used, given the usage, cracks are inevitable in a few years. Be it concrete or asphalt driveways, you must keep an eye out for cracks. However, replacing the driveways is not the only solution when there are small cracks. In fact, it is not the right solution. It is easier to repair the concrete driveway crack with the help of concrete delivery supplier newark nj.
You could do it when planning for a home renovation, trying to seal the cracks in your house or when you find significant cracks. Read more to understand why your concrete is cracking, how to prevent it, and how to seal when there are cracks in your concrete driveway.
Concrete Cracking
You can contact a concrete contractor to understand why your concrete is cracking, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future. It is vital to learn the why’s before fixing the crack. You can inspect by yourself if you know about concrete cracking. If not, it is advisable to check with an experienced concrete contractor.
When there are cracks after several years of installation, it is the normal wear and tear that happens over the years, and some repairs should keep it good. However, if the concrete cracks in just a few years, you need to check if anything went wrong in the installation process.
Wondering why you should know the reasons? If the crack in your concrete is due to different reasons, you can know what kind of rework you must do. You will know whether you have to repair the cracks or replace the material. So it is best to understand the reasons.
How to fix cracks? A step-by-step process
If there are small cracks, here is how you can fill them.
You can create a backward-angled cut in the crack with a chisel and a hammer. Next, clean the loose materials deposited in the crack. You can do so using a small brush or portable drill. After you make sure the materials are removed, you can apply a thin layer of bonding adhesive using a paintbrush to keep the repair material from loosening. Finally, you can use the repair material or filler to fill the crack.
What if there are large cracks?
If your cracks are more significant than ½ inch, there are many additional steps to follow. You can fill the larger cracks with sand and use the concrete filler. Or you can go for a synthetic foam road that can wedge into the crack. You can then fill the crack with the required filler material. But it would help if you understood that this is for cracks that are not very large. In case you have significant cracks in the driveway, consult an expert to know the best possible way to change it.
Can the crack be repaired DIY?
Though you can fix cracks yourself, it is more complicated than you think. You need to do the necessary research to repair it properly. However, you should know you could hugely benefit by hiring a concrete contractor who can easily solve the issues. They know the nuances of repairing the cracks and can tell you how to identify and treat them. Therefore, even though you have the option to do it yourself, it is better if you hire an expert to do it.