A well-maintained concrete driveway protects the value of your home and reduces the risk of accidents. However, it is common for driveways to suffer damage over time.
The amount you pay to repair your driveway depends on the type of damage and its severity. Contact Driveway Repair Nashville for more information.
Filling Cracks
Whether you opt for DIY or professional driveway repair depends on the extent of damage and what kind of results you’re looking for. It’s important to regularly inspect your concrete for signs of damage, and catching any issues early often saves money in the long run. For example, cleaning dirt or oil from concrete, caulking cracks, lifting sunken slabs and filling voids underneath are all relatively inexpensive fixes if performed quickly.
Filling surface-level hairline cracks with a concrete patch kit typically runs under $100 for 24 linear feet of cracks less than 1/4” wide. However, if you’re dealing with widespread spalling, heaving or other significant structural problems, you’ll need to have professionals assess the problem and find a more permanent solution.
Staining or stamping your driveway adds to its cost, but it can also enhance its durability by ensuring the concrete is of higher quality. If your concrete is pitted and heaving to the point that even resurfacing won’t give you a durable surface, full replacement may be necessary.
When it comes to resurfacing or staining, the size of your driveway and how curved or sloped it is can affect costs. For instance, a curved driveway with lots of nooks and crannies will take more time to work on than a flat, square driveway with few breaks in the surface. You’ll also need to consider any extra services you might require. For example, if you have imprinted concrete, you’ll need to hire a company that can match the original pattern. In addition, you’ll probably want a weed control service to ensure your repaired driveway is protected from growth and additional damage. These extra services can add up to thousands of dollars for a comprehensive project.
Filling Potholes
Concrete driveways experience a variety of damage over time. Some are small and cosmetic, while others cause significant structural problems that require extensive repair or even replacement. Ultimately, the type of damage determines how much you’ll spend on repairs.
Surface cracks are the cheapest to fix, but large structural cracks often indicate a shifting sub-base or roots under the slab. To resolve this, contractors inject specialized materials like epoxy or polyurethane caulk into the cracks to prevent water from seeping in and causing further damage. The price depends on the type of cracks and what caused them, but the cost is typically no more than $25 per square foot.
Potholes are another common problem, and they can be costly to repair. They’re usually caused by poorly installed or poured concrete, as well as heavy vehicles, poor drainage, and soil conditions. A professional can fill a single pothole for as little as $75, but the cost will increase if you have multiple holes to repair or have them repaired by a professional who has a minimum trip charge.
Staining and stamping are popular upgrades that set your driveway apart from basic greige, but they’re also expensive. Staining or stenciling a concrete driveway adds an additional $2 to $7 per square foot to the repair costs, while matching the texture could take up to a day to complete.
In addition to repairing damage, you might need to add drainage solutions to your concrete driveway. These can include French drains, grading, or a full replacement if your concrete is pitted and sinking. While these can be costly, they’re essential for preventing further structural damage to your concrete.
Resealing
Resealing is a recurring cost that keeps the surface of your concrete driveway protected from water damage, cracking, and other structural problems. It usually costs $0.50 to $3 per linear foot for a professional to spray or roll on a protective sealer. You can do this yourself for a fraction of the price if you’re comfortable working with concrete.
If you have a large number of small cracks and potholes that need repair, or if your driveway is older than 20 years, resurfacing may be a better option. It’s usually 50-80% less than replacing your driveway and will provide a fresh new look.
If your concrete driveway has serious structural problems, you’ll likely need to have it replaced. Sinking sections of the driveway, severe surface damage, and drainage issues require more extensive work that can’t be carried out by patching or resurfacing alone.
When comparing repair options, consider the amount of time and money you’ll spend on DIY projects. Working with concrete is challenging and messy, so it’s best to hire a professional contractor for most repairs. Choose a contractor with a good reputation, a portfolio of previous work, and proper licensing and insurance.
The average driveway repair costs between $300 and $5,850, depending on the size, type, and severity of damage. If you want to add special features like heating, drainage, and decorative borders, your costs will increase. Replacing your driveway is a major investment, but it’s often cheaper and longer-lasting than trying to fix the problem yourself with costly DIY methods. Whether you have minor surface damage or major structural problems, there are many repair options that can restore your driveway to its original condition.
Resurfacing
Concrete driveway resurfacing involves covering the entire surface of your existing concrete driveway with a layer of self-leveling concrete or a paving material, which covers and hides any cracks and discoloration. Professionals typically pressure wash the concrete to remove any dirt and stains that may interfere with the new finish. If the existing concrete is brushed, stenciled, or stamped, your contractor will try to match it as closely as possible to save time and money.
The cost of resurfacing your driveway depends on the extent of damage and the type of finish you choose. A brushed finish costs an extra $1 to $3 per square foot, while matching a stenciled or stained pattern can add $10 or more per square foot to the project.
Resurfacing your concrete driveway is not just a cosmetic improvement—it helps to prevent further damage from environmental factors and extend the lifespan of your concrete. In some cases, resurfacing is more affordable than replacement for damaged or heavily worn concrete.
Before resurfacing, your contractor will fill any cracks and small holes with concrete patching material and repair the expansion joints to ensure the new surfacing adheres properly. Contractors will also make sure your driveway has adequate drainage and any underlying issues, like soil erosion or water penetration, are addressed to prevent further damage.
Repairing and resurfacing are not the only options for a deteriorating concrete driveway, but they’re the most economical choices. A full replacement costs more upfront but provides a long-term solution and addresses any underlying structural issues. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, schedule a consultation with a concrete professional to assess the damage, identify the root causes, and receive a transparent quote.
Mudjacking
During its 50-year lifespan, your concrete driveway is likely to develop some cracks and potholes. But major damage is less common, so it’s important to inspect your driveway regularly to catch problems early. This could save you a few hundred dollars in repair costs or a costly replacement bill.
Depending on the extent of your damage, repair options vary from using self-leveling concrete crack filler to resurfacing for a fresh look. For large craters or holes, you’ll likely need to use mudjacking, which involves pumping a mixture of water, soil, and cement under the sunken concrete slab. The slurry fills voids and lifts the slab back into place.
To carry out this process, a professional crew will first drill small holes in the sunken section of the driveway. Then a slurry mixture is pumped through these holes under high pressure. As the slurry fills and lifts the sunken slab, it also relevels the rest of the driveway. Once the concrete is back in its original position, the drilled holes are patched and sealed.
Mudjacking raises sunken sections of the concrete, but it doesn’t address underlying issues like poor soil conditions or tree roots. It’s important to discuss your options with a professional before hiring a contractor for this type of major work.
