Best Ways to Efficiently Fix the Cracks in Your Driveway

Having a cracked driveway is surely a nuisance. It impacts the curb appeal, lowers the value of your home, and makes your whole property look messy and unkempt. When weeds and grass start to grow from the cracks, things get even worse. Your fairytale home could turn into a haunted house from Halloween movies.  

The first thing people will see when they come to your home is your driveway and we all know that first impressions matter. However, let’s take a look at this problem from another angle. Even if cracks do not bother you, ignoring them will just provide them with the opportunity to grow and expand. Soon, your driveway will become unrepairable and you will have to replace the whole thing. Installing a new driveway is always more expensive than fixing up a slightly damaged one. 

If you wish to fill those holes, you are probably wondering what the best solution is. After all, there are multiple methods available on the market and choosing the best option can be overwhelming. To make the decision-making process easier for you, in this post we will take a look at the best methods to fill the cracks in your driveway. 

Before you start picking the best option for your driveway in Cleveland, OH, determine whether you are dealing with active or dormant cracks. Why is this important? Because active ones require a more flexible sealant. Active cracks are caused by soil settlement and expand over time, while dormant cracks happen because of concrete drying shrinkage and once they appear they do not expand anymore. 

With that said, let’s take a look at the best solution for filling the driveway cracks. 

Driveway Sealant 

Some homeowners prefer the driveway sealant which can be bought in a local hardware store because you can apply it yourself. All you need is a little bit of time to get your hands dirty; just follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, if you are looking for a permanent solution, this surely is not your best choice. While using a driveway sealant is a great way to protect your driveway from water, automotive fluids as well as road salt, this option does not efficiently plug the cracks. Also, it does not solve the cause of the problems, so it is just a matter of time when the cracks will reappear. 

Resurfacing 

If you want to make your driveway in front of your Cleveland, OH, home look as good as new, resurfacing is a great option. If you want to fill in the cracks and prevent them from reappearing, not so much. Sure, your driveway will look amazing for a while, but since this method does not fix the problem, soon you will be dealing with those cracks once again. That means that all that time and money you invested in repairs will be just a huge waste. 

Mudjacking 

The cause of many driveway cracks is shifting in the ground which happens during heavy rains as well as droughts. When a large amount of snow begins to melt or there is a rainstorm, parts of the soil beneath the driveway can get washed away, leaving gaps behind. Since the concrete will no longer be supported by the soil, it sinks into the ground. This is when the cracks appear.  

On the other hand, when there is a drought, the soil loses all of its moisture, and soil particles shrink, also leaving the gaps behind. With mudjacking you can address this problem. During this process, the contractors will fill the gaps with a material that will become rock solid and keep the concrete in place. The whole process is rather quick. In fact, you will be able to park your car on the driveway in just a couple of hours. Another reason why homeowners like this process is the fact that it doesn’t disturb the landscaping in any way. In other words, you won’t have to worry about destroyed plants and bushes. 

However, mudjacking has several serious disadvantages. First, the material used to fill the gaps is not waterproof. Second, it becomes too heavy when it cures, which can lead to additional settlement. Finally, to complete this process, contractors will need to drill large holes in the driveway. Not only are they an eyesore, but they can also compromise the structural stability of the concrete and cause it to fall apart. 

Epoxy Injection 

You can also try to fill the cracks with epoxy injections. This method is often used to fix the cracks in concrete structures such as beams, columns, and foundations. However, the problem with this solution is that it does not behave well in extreme temperatures. Also, it can develop milky lines if you inject the material into a damp hole. Another issue with an epoxy injection is that it doesn’t address the cause of the problem. That means that after some time, the cracks will appear once again. 

PolyRenewal™ Solution 

If you are looking for a permanent solution that will fill cracks once and for all and stop them from reappearing, a sealant called PolyRenewal^TM is a great option. It is great for both active and dormant holes and is designed to provide long-lasting flexibility. It is resistant to water, UV rays, as well as high temperatures. That means that you can relax knowing that the sealant won’t begin to crack and bubble during hot, summer days.  

When your contractors apply it, you will be able to use your driveway in just one hour. Since at the end of the process contractors cover the sealant with a layer of native sand, the fix spots are not that noticeable. With PolyRenewal™ you also don’t have to worry about nasty weeds growing out of the repaired cracks. 

Call Ohio Basement Systems

Is your driveway full of nasty cracks? If so, don’t settle for short-term solutions. Instead, call your local contractor and have them properly fill the cracks and stop them from reappearing. Contact Ohio Basement Systems and schedule a free inspection and repair quote today.