How To Protect Your Driveway From Cracking, Pitting, And Crumbling

Hey there, homeowners! If you have recently taken a stroll down your driveway and noticed unwelcome cracking, pitting, or crumbling, know that you are not alone. It is a common headache for many of us. 
In this blog, we will explore why driveways crack and, most importantly, how to fix them so they look good as new again. 

Why do driveways crack, crumble, and pit?

Driveways go through a lot, enduring heavy vehicles and fluctuating weather conditions, which can lead to damage over time. Here are five different ways driveways can be damaged:

1. Weathering Water is enemy number one for concrete. Too much water can wash away the soil supporting your concrete. Too little and it can cause the soil to shrink. And when water freezes and thaws repeatedly, it can cause the surface of your concrete driveway to crack, pit, and crumble.
2. Inadequate drainage Poor drainage can lead to water accumulation on the driveway. This additional moisture can cause the soil underneath the concrete to shift. This movement causes the concrete above to settle unevenly, leading to cracks and pits. Over time, this extra moisture can also seep into cracks or gaps in the driveway. And especially during freezing and thawing cycles, that water can put a lot of pressure on the concrete, eventually causing it to crack. 
3. Heavy vehicles If your driveway is constantly supporting heavy vehicles or equipment, the pressure on your driveway is highly increased. This high pressure is what leads to cracking, pitting, and crumbling, over time. Large trees that are located next to driveways and sidewalks can also add significant pressure on the concrete.
4. Tree roots As tree roots grow, they can push up against surrounding concrete, causing it to crack and lift. Or as the tree roots take water from the ground, causing the soil to dry up, can result in a gap between the concrete and soil. This can cause cracking, pitting, or crumbling.
5. Poor installation At times, it is not the elements that are to blame but it is the initial installation of the concrete. Poorly installed driveways are prone to cracking, crumbling, and pitting due to several critical reasons. This can result in, earlier than usual, driveway deterioration.

Think of your driveway as a giant sponge. Concrete is extremely porous. It soaks up water at the surface from rain or melting snow. When temperatures drop below freezing, the water turns into ice, which expands and breaks the walls of those tiny pores, weakening the concrete.

If your concrete isn't level, it can also be contributing to premature wear and tear. For instance, if the slabs on your driveway meet at a spot where soil loss has created a low spot, water might pool. And this pooling gives water more time to soak into the concrete and start eroding (If you notice this, call us to schedule a free inspection - we can level and extend the life of your concrete!).

Why fixing your driveway matters

Other than wanting your home to have a good appearance, caring for your driveway can help you avoid a costly concrete replacement in the future. 

Preventing further damage

Cracks in concrete tend to grow over time as they become exposed to weathering and heavy vehicles. Repairing these cracks prevents any additional damage that may occur. 

Safety hazards

Cracks that are left untreated weaken the entire driveway structure leading to safety hazards. This can also become a liability issue if pedestrians are exposed to these tripping hazards.

Enhancing driveway aesthetic

Concrete's porous nature makes it susceptible to staining from chemicals, dirt, and other materials. As with cracking and pitting, staining is an eyesore that can reduce your home's curb appeal. Repairing these stains, cracks, and pits in your driveways and sidewalks will help to improve, not only the aesthetics of your home but also ensures the durability and functionality of your driveways and sidewalks for years to come. 

Solutions to cracking, pitting, and crumbling

PolyLevel concrete leveling system being installed

Fortunately, there are effective solutions available to tackle these common problems head-on, restoring both the structural integrity and visual appeal of your surfaces. Listed below is a range of practical strategies and techniques aimed at protecting and repairing your surfaces.

• Address underlying issues If your driveway or sidewalks are pitting and cracking it could be due to the soil underneath the concrete. Too much water can wash away the soil supporting your concrete. Too little water can cause the soil to shrink. Both scenarios lead to cracking and pitting of concrete. If you notice this, call us to schedule a free inspection - we can level and extend the life of your concrete.
• Fill cracks To repair cracks that have formed in your driveway or sidewalk one of our professionals will use Thrashers NexusPro, a silicone-based crack and joint sealer developed by our sister company Supportworks. NexusPro offers a long-lasting and durable solution that will stand up to harsh weather conditions and keep moisture from seeping beneath your concrete, where it can cause further problems.
• Staining concrete Untreated concrete essentially is similar to a hard sponge. Its tiny pores absorb just about any moisture that comes into contact. That includes oil, gasoline, and other chemicals that can leave permanent stains. DecoShield™ protects the slab surface, preventing its pores from absorbing moisture while adding a pleasing tint that can help minimize the look of existing stains and hide mismatched slabs. 

Above: DecoShield stain colors

• Seal concrete The best way to prevent your driveway from cracking is to apply sealant. At Thrasher, we use SealantPro(TM) from Supportworks. SealantPro concrete sealant is a proprietary formulation unavailable anywhere else in the area that permanently protects concrete with just one professional application, extending the life of your concrete by 3-to-5 times.
• Replacement If the concrete is beyond repair, it may need total replacement. However, every case is different, and we understand that tearing out and replacing concrete is a huge undertaking and can be costly. Give us a call to schedule a free inspection!

Need an expert opinion on your driveway?

Hey there, we are the friendly team at Thrasher Foundation Repair, and excited to meet you. With nearly 50 years of experience in foundation repair and basement solutions we've got you covered when it comes to basements and crawl spaces. 

If you happen to live in or around Omaha, Kansas City, Wichita, Denver, Springfield, Grand Island, Sioux City, or Peoria, we're here to help with any concrete questions, driveway issues, or hey, even just chatting about life – we’re up for that, too. You can reach out to us by calling us at 1-800-827-0702, filling out this form, or starting a chat in the bottom right-hand corner.