Concrete Driveway Restoration: What You Need to Know

Whether your driveway is made from concrete or asphalt, installing a new driveway once cracks or chips start to show isn’t always the right move. Instead, many people often choose to perform asphalt or concrete driveway restoration by patching or restoring it.  

While patches will work in some cases, there are times when you’ll see better results replacing your entire driveway. We go over the right time to perform each action below. 

When It’s Worth Doing Concrete Driveway Restoration 

Because Canada has a constant freeze-thaw cycle every year, it’s natural for your driveway to slowly form cracks or divots. These minor issues are the best choice for performing restoration and repair on since they aren’t indicative of larger structural issues. 

However, if the cracks are larger than a quarter-inch wide they can’t be more permanently fixed by restoration. Filling the cracks will only be a temporary solution and may indicate deeper damage. 

How to Fix Concrete Driveway Section

Cracks less than a quarter-inch can easily be filled with liquid crack-filler yourself.  

For larger sections, we’d recommend getting professionals to do your concrete driveway restoration. Professionals have dedicated tools to ensure your driveway comes out smooth and structurally sound in a timely manner. 

When It’s Worth Replacing Your Concrete Driveway 

If your concrete driveway is around 25 years-old, then it’s probably just worth it to redo the entire length of it. Trying to patch it when it’s this old is like trying to repair a car that is falling apart: you’ll be spending more money trying to fix parts than just getting a new one. 

It could also be worth it to replace if you plan on selling your home in a few years. A pitted driveway could be a turnoff for some buyers; a good-looking driveway often makes a good first impression. 

When It’s a Good Idea to Resurface Your Driveway 

Luckily you don’t just have the option of going with the minimal or “nuclear” option for fixing your driveway. The middle-ground between filling in cracks and outright replacement is driveway resurfacing. Like crack-filling, it won’t solve deeper structural issues, but it can provide a cost-effective way to treat divots or many cosmetic cracks.  

Concrete driveway resurfacing essentially involves just shaving a layer off the top of your driveway and replacing it with new concrete. It’s simple, but it should be done by professionals for the best results.  Clearly, there are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to restoring your driveway to its original glory. From the above tips you should have a good idea what is the right choice to make for yours.