Spring is finally here! It’s warming up, the snow has melted, and to your surprise, your driveway may have fallen victim to the Michigan winter freeze-thaw cycle. When the snow melts, the runoff can make its way into crevices and cracks in your concrete driveway. With Michigan weather being unpredictable, it is not uncommon for temperatures to rise and fall quickly. When the temperature drops back to freezing the water that has made its’ way under your driveway or in the cracks re-freezes, it can cause even more crumbling and cracking. This is just the beginning of an even bigger problem for when the next cycle or cycles occur. To avoid further issues, there are a few options available to you regarding your concrete driveway.
Repairing Your Driveway
Depending on the existing damage, there is the option to repair the cracks or holes in your driveway. If you have small holes, you can use sand to back-fill them. There are also liquid crack-fillers if the cracks are smaller than one-quarter inch. This filler can be purchased at most home centers or hardware stores. For the bigger cracks and holes, there is a thicker material on the market that is similar to a tar-putty substance. It will cost you about $10 a gallon. However, keep in mind that you will need to remove any loose concrete or crumbling before laying down the substance. Although these are inexpensive, quick fixes, please keep in mind that they are only temporary. If your driveway has multiple cracks or holes, we strongly recommend replacing it before it gets any worse.
Replacing Your Driveway
Replacing your driveway will ease your mind, and you will not have to worry about any damage for many years to come. Concrete will last much longer than other driveway materials (for example, asphalt). Most concrete driveways can last up to 20 years. If your current driveway is between 15 and 20 years old, you may want to invest in replacing it. Once your old, damaged driveway is replaced, your new concrete driveway will be extremely durable and will give your driveway a clean, finished look. You may think that you will be limited in the appearance of your concrete driveway. However, there are many options of textures, colors, and decorative designs to choose from. This will allow you to have a beautiful driveway that is unique to your taste.
If you are interested in replacing your old, crumbling driveway, feel free to give us at Flat Rock Construction a call! We are the experts of concrete driveways in Southeast Michigan. We would love to schedule an estimate and make your new, concrete driveway come to life! Please give us a call at (248) 379-0250 or (586) 726-6091.