A driveway is an important element to any home, an element that should not be ignored any more than the home itself. So when driveways sink and crack, they need attention. The good news is that most driveway deterioration can be repaired without having to dig the entire thing up and start from scratch. The Concrete Raising Company specializes in driveway repair and leveling that is more than capable of addressing deterioration caused by sinking. Our leveling process is based on a decades-old principle the construction industry has been relying on for a very long time. It is appropriate for RV pads and aprons as well.
Why Driveways Sink and Deteriorate
Unlike foundations, driveways are not expected to settle over time. They shouldn’t sink either. When sinking does occur, it generally results in cracks and breaks. The relatively thin layer of surface material just cannot accommodate even minor sinking. This is true whether you are talking asphalt or concrete driveway. However, concrete is more brittle than asphalt. It is more likely to crack and break due to sinking.
Sinking driveways can be the result of:
- poorly compacted soil underneath
- poor drainage around the driveway
- improperly poured concrete
- too much weight over long periods of time.
Water is the biggest enemy of driveways, aprons, and RV pads. Water may seem harmless, but it can do an awful lot of damage to underlying soil without anyone noticing. That is, at least, until the cracking and sinking begin.
How Concrete Driveways Are Poured
Understanding how concrete driveways, aprons, and RV pads are poured makes it easier to understand why they sink and deteriorate. A proper installation begins with testing the soil. Testing is done to better understand what kind of soil builders are working with.
The soil is then marked off and leveled. If a base material is required to stabilize the soil, crushed rock or gavel is laid on top. Soil compaction is then achieved through either a manual or machine compactor. This step is critical as poorly compacted soil is prone to water erosion.
Finally, concrete is poured, finished, and allowed to cure. If the ratio of concrete mixture to water is not quite right, a concrete driveway or RV pad may not fully cure. If it is then used before curing is complete, sinking can result. Cracks can start appearing months or years later.
Signs you Need Driveway Repair
Not every crack in a concrete driveway or RV pad suggests sinking or major deterioration. Concrete’s brittle nature means it is susceptible to cracks even when remaining perfectly level. On the other hand, a driveway in need of repair will exhibit some visible signs:
- Areas of consistent puddling
- Visible sagging (especially near the apron)
- Cracks that develop into large breaks over time
- Large cracks that run the full width of the pad.
A driveway cracking due to sinking shows damage because the sinking section is lower than the rest of the driveway. If you suspect a problem but don’t notice a significant amount of sagging, placing a ball near the crack and observing its behavior will tell you right away if one side of the concrete is lower than the other.
Why You Should Not Ignore Cracked Concrete
Again, cracked concrete does not automatically mean you need a driveway leveling repair. But ignoring the problem in hopes that it is nothing major is not wise either. Given that most driveway damage is in some way related to water, ignoring cracked concrete virtually guarantees the problem will only get worse.
Ignoring driveway, apron, and RV pad problems can lead to:
- minor cracks becoming major problems
- more cracks forming in the driveway
- large gaps between driveway and garage
- severe apron damage requiring full replacement
- eventual buckling that makes the driveway unusable.
Even if your driveway or RV pad is not in need of a leveling repair, you should at least fill in cracks with a concrete repair product. This prevents any more water from getting in and making the cracks worse.
Our Driveway Repair Solution
The Concrete Raising Company repairs sinking driveways using a process known as mudjacking. Sometimes referred to as a slab jacking, it is a time-tested process that has proved effective for driveways, RV pads, and even aprons.
Mud jacking levels sinking concrete by filling voids and creating upward pressure. We achieve this by injecting a material into the soil underneath the damaged area. As the material fills the void and creates pressure, the driveway is returned to a level position. The material then cures as hard as concrete for a permanent fix.
Driveway Leveling in Salt Lake City
A cracked and sinking driveway is more than just an aesthetic problem. It can create all sorts of headaches that could lead to having the entire driveway removed and replaced. Why not avoid such drastic repairs by having your sinking driveway leveled instead?
We offer driveway leveling and other concrete repair services throughout Salt Lake City. Please contact us at your earliest convenience if your driveway exhibits any signs of sinking deterioration.