Some of the Most Common Concrete Crack Repair Mistakes Homeowners Make
Posted on: 6 June 2016
Fixing cracks and chips in your home's driveway isn't always difficult, but it does take a bit of know-how and planning to get it done right. Many homeowners make the mistake of thinking they can do the job of experts without actually learning how to repair concrete effectively, so their repair job doesn't last. Note a few of the most common concrete crack repair mistakes made by homeowners so you can avoid these yourself or determine if it's best to have a contractor handle the repairs for you.
1. Not using the right concrete mixture
Concrete is all concrete, right? This is a very common assumption made by homeowners and one that often results in a poor-quality repair. This is because concrete is made from scratch with a mix of ingredients, and trying to patch it with a wrong type of mix would be like trying to match two types of cakes, each made with a different type of batter. The repair job will be very obvious and may not adhere to the original concrete as it should, so that it doesn't last. Before you make any repairs, you need to know the materials used to make the concrete in your home's driveway or walkway and the ratio or mixture of these materials.
2. Not thinking of the weather
Concrete needs a certain time and weather to set, and you need to consider this. You might want to make repairs in the springtime when you're tackling lots of home improvement projects, but if your area's springtime is the rainy season, this can mean allowing rain to compromise the mixture you use for concrete repairs. Snow, morning dew, and other such factors can affect the repair mixture you use, so note expected weather and adjust the timing of your repairs accordingly.
3. Not addressing why the crack happened
It's true that concrete can simply crack due to age, but if your driveway is not sloped evenly, this can put pressure on one end of the concrete. Excess moisture under the concrete can cause the soil to become soft so that there is no solid foundation for the material. Your driveway might also be made with a very thin, lightweight concrete that cannot withstand the weight of a heavy trailer and other such vehicles. If you don't address these problems with grading your property, a retaining wall, or a layer of thicker concrete, you may see that the cracks simply keep reappearing over time.
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