Signs That It's Time To Replace Your Driveway

In general concrete driveways have a life span of about 30-40 years depending on the location and weather conditions. Many factors contribute to your driveway's durability, such as; proper subgrade, adequate reinforcement, correct concrete thickness, and a host of other outside elements.
If you are starting to notice signs that it may be time for a concrete repair or an entirely new installation, this article will explain three signs that your concrete driveway may need to be replaced.

• Big cracks, Uneven concrete, Sunken Concrete
  

Cracking is common in all concrete surfaces, such as sidewalks, floors, and driveways. There are many different causes of cracks, such as settling, expansion, and contraction due to warm and cold weather or heavy loads and accidents.
There is no exact science as to what constitutes as a crack that is too deep, too wide, or too long for repair. It is always best to defer to a qualified concrete contractor and get their opinion on how best to repair or replace the damaged concrete. If the contractor finds that the cracks cannot be repaired, then replacing the damaged concrete becomes the only option. In some cases, just the damaged section can be torn out and replaced. In others, it may be best to replace the entire drive if grading is an issue.

• Sunken Concrete
  

The next sign that you need to repair or replace your driveway is if portions of the drive are sunken or displaced. Sunken concrete is almost always a combination of improper drainage and improper grading or both. During the initial pour, the concrete contractor is supposed to design the driveway with a grade away from the structure to properly drains water. If not replaced or repaired, the sunken concrete can lead to foundational and flooding issues. Nobody wants a damaged foundation or a moldy basement!
Thankfully there are a few different techniques that can be used to fix this. The first method is mudjacking. This is where concrete or another strong material is pumped under the sunken slab to provide support and to level out the piece. This process isn't always the solution in which case a replacement is the only option available. 

• Uneven Concrete Caused by Trees
  

Cracks, upheaval, or potholes are obvious signs of concrete driveway repairs. However, sometimes this can be caused by mother nature as well. Tree roots are notorious for causing damage to concrete driveways. Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done except to cut down the tree or cut out the tree root in hopes that the tree doesn't lose structural integrity.
The upheaval caused by tree roots causes water to pool on the concrete and not drain properly. This can lead to unneeded freezing and thawing in the winter months, which can cause the concrete driveway to deteriorate much faster than an undamaged driveway.