Monday, October 24, 2011

Tips on Having a Concrete Driveway Repaired

By Essie Roginson


If concrete driveways are being maintained regularly today by home owners, they seldom repair this type of driveways. However, there are also different reasons for concrete highways to undergo repair no matter how strong its quality may be. Over time, concrete tends to show weakness and breakdown because of the stress it encounters brought about by the weather. At times the repair may be minimal; however there are damages which tear the concrete completely apart making a complete repair very much necessary.

Things to consider when hiring a contractor

The homeowner always hires a contractor for the job, no matter how severe it may be since they are the ones who know how to handle these problems. Depending on how sever the case may be, a contractor is the right person for the job so home owners always ask for their expertise and skills. It is most fitting to call the contractor who first installed the driveway as much as possible.When this cannot be possible anymore, then ask for some references or you can also call the local directory services for a list of contractors within the area. Once you are calling, tell them about the problem and get quotes and job references. Check with the references always.

Basically, these minor problems occur due to the changes in weather which can expand the surfaces and contract the concrete. The effect on concrete once the weather will be warm is to expand, and the exact opposite will happen during cold weathers. The minor cracks appear, while those small areas of the concrete surface tend to chip away due to the rapid change of weather from hot to cold, and then exchange right back again. The concrete will be much stressed and develop problems after a certain period of time.

The different major concrete driveway repairs

When the small cracks are not treated as soon as possible, larger cracks will develop making the problem worse. Only major repair can fix these larger cracks which developed. However, there is also another reason why you need a major repair, and that is the need for buckling of the concrete. Concrete only tends to buckle when the concrete would sink beneath the soil. They tend to sink because of the freezing water under the concrete during winter causing the rise up or bulging up. The water under the concrete may cause the soil to sink causing the concrete to form a slight trough. This is usually happening during summer. The one which will crack the concrete from within and cause its strength to diminish is this trough. Such buckling will definitely shatter the concrete and cause small areas of the concrete to form bowls throughout time.

Most preferably, there must be ripping away of the old concrete and prepare the ground surface again, preferably with reinforcement like small concrete piles. This can let the driveway be poured and be allowed to set.

Some of the concrete driveway repairs that is minor

When the surface gets a crack or chip, this is usually the reason for home owners to complain and make some minor requirements. No matter how minor it may seem to be, it is very important to be able to fix the problem. This is because when they are being taken for granted, these minor cracks may become larger problems which may require major work to be carried out. Whereas if it will only be a minor repair, the work will involved only either simple cementing in the affected area or you may apply other bonding agents that are available at most hardware stores.




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