Signs of a Damaged Concrete Driveway

Your driveway is the first thing you access when entering your home. It is also the first thing that your guests see. You want to ensure it stays in good condition, especially because it creates the first impression. The driveway is exposed to environmental factors that can damage it and that is why you need to maintain it. The following includes signs of a damaged concrete driveway and what you need to do to prevent further damage.

Evidence of Damage

The most common sign of damaged concrete is the presence of cracks. They can be shallow or deep. As long as you see cracks, the damage has already begun. If the cracks are not big or deep, don't wait until they are; contact a concrete driveway contractor for early inspection and repair before the condition worsens. If you wait until the cracks become huge and deep, you may have to spend a lot of money for the driveway to be repaired or replaced.

The second sign is the presence of sunken areas. These indicate that the concrete driveway was not installed correctly. That is, the concrete was not provided with enough support. Additionally, if you continuously expose the driveway surface to heavy machinery, sunken areas will result.

The third sign is raised areas. If there is a tree nearby, you need to check whether its roots pass under your driveway. If they do, you need to contact a concrete driveway contractor to help you redesign your driveway so that the roots do not interfere with it and vice versa.

How Do You Prevent Damage?

Since driveways are located outside, they are prone to damage. To reduce damage risks, the driveway should be installed by a competent and skilful contractor. Don't DIY if you don't know what you are doing. The first mistakes are made during the installation process and they can be costly afterwards, in the form of repair or replacement costs. Choose a qualified concrete driveway contractor.

The contractor will provide you with maintenance instructions. Follow them if you want your driveway to last for a long time. Some of these instructions may include avoiding the use of harsh chemicals, cleaning off stains immediately, cleaning, sealing, and avoiding the use of heavy equipment or vehicles on your driveway.

If you notice any damage signs, however small they may be, have the driveway inspected and repaired immediately before it worsens. Ice/snow during the winter is bad for cracks because it widens them.

For more information on concrete driveway repair, contact a driveway contractor in your area.           

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