How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace Your Concrete Driveway This Winter

The snow scenery that winter brings can be such a beautiful sight to behold. However, the cold season can bring hazards as well, particularly to concrete driveways. Whereas concrete is widely regarded for its lasting qualities, it can suffer from too much cold for a prolonged time. If you can’t determine whether your concrete driveway needs to be repaired or replaced following an intense winter storm, read on to identify signs that will lead you to the best decision. 

Damage Indicators to Watch For

Finding out the severity of your concrete driveway’s damage means you need to know how a compromised driveway looks. Among the most obvious signs is cracking. Whether it is a hairline crack or a significant one running across the surface of your driveway, it says something about the condition of your concrete. These seemingly innocent cracks can deepen through time, especially if you have used chemicals to thaw the snow from your driveway. These cracks can also expand when the fractures absorb water from the melted snow. Cracks can widen and deepen when temperatures drop and freeze up again. If you are not careful, you can damage your concrete driveway with the snow shovels you use to remove the snow.  

You should also look out for divots or sunken sections in your concrete driveway. This is typically the result of poor or improper subgrade installation. The concrete driveway will not have the right support it needs and be vulnerable to submerging. With the presence of thick ice or snow, it is easy for a concrete driveway to give in to divots, especially if there is no proper support. 

Gauge the Damage

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for concrete driveway damage. This is because every case is different and should be handled differently. However, it is standard that if a crack or divot is more than 2 inches in depth, it should be replaced. If the damage is not as severe, it can still be treated with resurfacing. You also want to take into account your driveway’s age in your decision-making. Age can be a crucial determining feature that says how vulnerable your concrete driveway is to damages. The older the concrete driveway, the more prone it is to obtain different types of injuries. Newer driveways that face early deterioration are most likely due to improper installation and will continue to crack in the days to come. 

Repair or Replacement?

Needless to say, it can be challenging to determine whether a concrete driveway needs resurfacing or replacement with just one glance. Although the above mentioned signs are helpful, it is always better to reach out to an experienced and professional contractor to come up with the best possible solution on the matter. Certain damages and imperfections can be diagnosed as insignificant. Some can be a great source of problems in the future. Whether you decide to have it repaired or replaced, it is vital to have it done anyway so it can function as it should throughout any season. 

Contact Your Local Concrete Experts

Get in touch with your local concrete contractors at Sunshine Concrete Contractors Tampa, 5001 N Nebraska Ave Suite 103, Tampa, FL 33603, (813) 750-0680, and we will make sure that all your concerns regarding your concrete driveway will be handled with the utmost care.