Driveway Repair and Your Home

A driveway is generally speaking the first thing that visitors will notice upon entering your home and like everything else, it is therefore important that your driveway is well maintained. A concrete driveway will add character to your home, but also market value – therefore it is an investment well worth looking after.

And aside from the visual aesthetics, there are a practical perspective’s to consider also. A driveway gives you somewhere to park your car, to enter your property, often it provides a walkway to your home and most of the time a clear entrance way to your front door.

Concrete is a fantastic building material as it is malleable when initially mixed, and then hardens to form a durable stone like mass.

Concrete is typically thought of as being very strong, and although it has high compressive strength, concrete has a much lower tensile strength and coefficient of thermal expansion – meaning that it is more likely to crack from being stressed. It is possible that damage can occur when exposed to standing water, freezing water, excessive heat, shifting of the earth, over loading, tree roots and even some types of bacteria. Fortunately, it is relatively inexpensive to have repair work done.

Depending on the driveway’s condition, there are a variety of ways to repair concrete. It is also important to determine the cause of the damage in order to remove or reduce the cause to avoid future problems. To help you make an informed decision, we have included advice on the different repair jobs available to you and if your still not sure which way to go with your driveway, don’t hesitate to call one of our professional’s here at Ultimate Seal.

Concrete resurfacing – a cost effective, long term solution.

Concrete driveways are increasing in popularity due to their longevity and affordability. Although concrete driveways should ideally last a lifetime, it is sadly not uncommon for the concrete to crack. Cracking is typically caused by changes in season and temperature, shifting of the earth and more often than not, tree roots – all elements that are out of our control. Concrete is however, easy and inexpensive to repair, perfect for homeowners seeking an attractive, low-maintenance and cost effective driveway.

Years ago, it was common for worn concrete to be replaced – a labour intensive job that required a strong back to manage the jackhammer and cart the old concrete away. Not to mention the costs of disposing of concrete. Nowadays, there is an option that doesn’t require you to lift the concrete up in order to replace it. Resurfacing is a great way to upgrade your concrete, reinforce it’s strength and erase any imperfections, cracks and holes. This process involves any repair on the existing concrete to ensure stability, and then a layer of concrete is poured on top – restoring your driveway to it’s original condition. It is important to ensure that any repair work is carried out before the resurfacing to avoid any weaknesses in the under layer.

Spalling is a less common surface failure, however it is more common in colder climates where the freeze/thaw cycles and deicing chemicals are extensive. Freezing causes the water in the concrete’s capillaries to expand, therefore creating a build up in pressure. Over time, the pressure from repeated freeze/thaw cycles can break away the top surface of the concrete – leaving put marks and exposing coarse aggregate. Concrete spalling can be rectified by resurfacing the concrete.

Repairing cracks and general maintenance.

It is abundantly clear that not all repairs require you to resurface the entire driveway. Over time, your driveway will play host to an assortment of cracks, in a variety of shapes and sizes – from hairline cracks, to more significant rifts. The size of the crack is not major however, it is more important to repair the crack before it deteriorates any further. The primary purpose of repairing cracks in your concrete is to help prevent moisture from working it’s way into the gaps while also improving the appearance of your driveway. Typically, most homes have a front-facing driveway, and while it is important to have a reliable surface to park your vehicles, it is also important to consider your homes curb appeal. Having a well-maintained driveway will enhance your property’s visual appeal and add value to your home.

Before having your driveway repaired, scope out the area and endeavor to find the cause of any cracks or breaks in the concrete. This will aid in preventing the new concrete from having the same problem.

Standing water is the most common cause of concrete cracks, and over time, the water seeps into the concrete – expanding and contracting as the temperature changes. Before the crack is repaired, think about how you can eliminate the cause prevent further damage. The repair method used will ultimately depend on the size of the crack.

A concrete driveway is a low-maintenance investment and by following these simple guidelines – your driveway will continue to look as good as new.

  1. Give your driveway a thorough clean with a pressure washer once a year to remove any dirt and grime build up including rust and other stains.
  2. To maintain a structurally sound surface, it is important to repair any cracks and breaks to prevent moisture working it’s way into the concrete.
  3. To minimize water intrusion, seal the joints in the concrete. This also eliminates dirt build up in the joints and prevents weeds from growing.
  4. Have your driveway sealed to protect the concrete from the elements, spills and other contaminates.

We provide a number of services at Ultimate Seal, including sealing concrete, resurfacing concrete and driveway repair. Sydney based company Ultimate Seal services the Penrith, Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains areas.