It does not matter if you have the most beautiful house on the block – any imperfection can give way to a bad impression on the part of a judgmental neighbour or passerby in general. Take, for instance, the concrete elements on your property – a crumbling driveway, for instance, will completely eliminate the crux of the curb appeal that your beautiful home may have in just about every other respect. Even though driveways are built to last for years, they eventually need replacement.
No matter the damage, working with a reliable company – such as Elite Concrete or a similarly reputable operation – that uses the high-quality materials and well-seasoned professionals who demonstrate a great deal of know-how is one way of ensuring you have a durable concrete driveway that your neighbours will envy. The question still remains, then, of how to tell precisely when you may need work done on your driveway; the following points attempt to illustrate why a property may need new concrete.
Large And Potentially Dangerous Cracks
Cracked concrete and asphalt is a common occurrence especially, especially amongst older homes that have accumulated some degree of wear-and-tear. But even if the cracks on one’s drive- or walkway are small (hairline, even), harmful substances such as de-icing salt can easily penetrate them and thereby intensify the damage. During winter, water makes it’s through any and all crevices and, once frozen, expands. If the cracks are relatively small, you can work with a contractor to seal cracks in your driveway– this would involve a reasonable maintenance fee. However, if the cracks are wide and deep, simplistic patchwork will not suffice. Instead of covering up the driveway’s imperfections, it’s time to consider laying down a new slab of concrete.
Potholes
Potholes develop when the ground underneath expands and contracts and, with time, the contraction and expansion causes the top to weaken. Small pieces start to crumble away and form a pothole. While there is the option to fill the pothole, it does not solve the problem entirely and invites these concrete blemishes to return, time and again. The best option, then, is to replace the entire driveway. Indeed, doing so can go a long way, as potholes on your driveway are not only an uncomfortable sight, they are problematic for your car. Driving over potholes each and every day can be damaging to the suspension system of your vehicle.
Drainage Problems
When your driveway is in reasonable condition, it will likely not have any drainage issues. However, if you do happen to have problems with drainage, it could lead to serious damage to both the concrete and the piping in your home. For instance, if the driveway is uneven or sloped it could lead to pooling of water, which weakens the concrete entirely, such that potholes and cracks will start appearing on those compromised areas. Luckily, adding curbing and inlets helps redirect water away from the driveway. However, if the situation is beyond repair, you might – once again – need to replace the entire driveway. If you are in need of a new driveway.
There are various situations which necessitate the need to replace concrete fixtures, and in most cases, the issue at hand is one’s safety and the well-being of the home in its entirety. Indeed, concrete is not an issue to be taken lightly. With this in mind, professional help is not a matter of changing your home’s appearance, but acting responsibly to avoid any long-term damages to one’s property – be it a car or the surrounding areas of your place of residence. With a new driveway from a reliable company, not only will you be worry free – you’ll make your neighbors jealous by having increased the value of your property entirely.
