Concrete is one of the best materials you can use for driveways. It’s durable and lasts a very long time. It’s longevity and durability is one of the reasons it’s one of the most picked materials for driveways. However, everything has an expiration date and as a concrete driveway approaches the end of its life cycle, it tends to encounter problems.
The 5 Common Concrete Driveway Problems
These concrete driveway problems can further shorten the lifespan of an already aging concrete driveway. Which is why you should always take the time to be aware of the problems that these concrete driveways face. We’ve listed these problems down below so you know what to look out for in case your concrete driveway is looking less and less pristine with each passing week.
Potholes
Public enemy number one of every driveway owner are potholes. They’re far more common in asphalt driveways. However, that doesn’t mean concrete driveways can’t get potholes. Potholes are caused by a number of reasons. Water seeping into a crack is one and is fairly common in areas with high amounts of rain coming in.
Cracks and Chipping
Cracks and chipping is common in concrete driveways that are several decades old. These problems occur due to the wear and tear it experiences over time. Concrete is especially vulnerable in cold environments. It isn’t as flexible as asphalt in the cold and will crack and break much more easily in the cold. Cracks are also more common along the edges of the driveway due to it being the weakest and most exposed area.
Oil Stains
Another problem that many driveways have to deal with is the presence of oil stains. These oil stains may seem harmless, however, they can do damage to your driveway over time. Asphalt driveways are especially vulnerable because of how the oil destroys the chemicals that binds asphalt. Concrete driveways however, have another issue: It prevents sealant from working properly.
Sealant is one of the best maintenance methods you can use to protect your driveway from damage over time. However, oil stains prevent sealant from lasting as long as it should. It creates an area on your driveway that is vulnerable to the elements which can lead to potholes or cracks.
Issues With It’s Foundation
Issues with the foundation are mainly caused by one of two things. The first is that the installation of the driveway was done poorly by whoever was laying it down. This problem is one of the reasons why you should look for a professional paving contractor like Eagle Rock Excavations to do the job for you. With a professional on deck, you should have no problems during installation of your driveway.
The second is water seeping in through the cracks and destabilizing the foundation over time. However, water seeping into cracks is only a problem after several decades have passed and cracks have had a chance to form.
Final Thoughts
Knowing and understanding the problem is the first step to beating it. Knowing about the potential problems that your concrete driveway may face are a big advantage at making sure your concrete driveway lasts much longer!