Concrete Driveway Repair Contractor In Los Angeles?

How can I repair my concrete driveway in Los Angeles?

While concrete is one of the most durable building materials out there, concrete driveways still can see some damage over their lifetime. Whether it’s pesky plant roots, shifting earth or other reasons, you may see some wear and tear and cracks in your concrete driveway that you want to fix. Here are some ideas on how to make that happen.

What are some reasons my concrete driveway is damaged?

Ideally, your concrete driveway should last for decades. There are some reasons for damage aside from the ground settling underneath, discoloration or scaling. It could be:

• An inadequate concrete mix was used.
• The ground underneath your concrete was not compacted properly.
• Bad placement procedures were used.
• Your concrete was exposed to severe or extreme weather.

What are my repair options for my concrete driveway?

Whatever the reasons for the damage to your concrete driveway, there are several options for repairing it.

Instead of ripping out the concrete and starting over, you can save money and time by repairing your driveway as long as the concrete is still structurally sound. If you aren’t sure about that, have a professional assess the current condition of your concrete.

Before beginning your driveway repair project, future out what caused the damage in the first place. That way, you can determine the best way to solve the problem.

From there, you can decide on whether you need a simple color enhancement by applying a coat to stain to totally resurfacing your driveway with a decorative overlay.

Repair, Resurface, or Replace -- How do I decide?

First, have a professional assess the damage to your concrete. They will look at the cracks and determine what needs to be done to correct your damage and discuss treatment options that will leave your driveway looking like new.

As long as your concrete driveway is structurally sound, there are minor -- or even major, depending on your budget -- ways to repair the defects without completely tearing out and replacing your driveway.

If you have small cracks or holes that are less than ¼”, you could fix it yourself. If you have more major repairs -- such as larger cracks and holes, discoloration, sinking, scaling, or structural damage -- you’ll want to hire a contractor to make any repairs.

Concrete driveway repair solutions

Once you have determined the source of the damage and how structurally sound your concrete is, you can go ahead with your repairs.

• Patch or fill small cracks
  • Good for cracks less than ¼” wide that don’t pose a structural threat
  • Can be patched as a temporary fix
  • Can be done as a DIY project
  • Could cost as little as $10
  • Patches and fillers can look visibly different from the rest of your concrete.
  • Patching up a lot of areas can lead to a blotchy, unappealing look
  • Patches are not water night. Water will seep between the patch and the original concrete, possibly causing more damage.
• Concrete resurfacing
  • Good for large cracks or holes larger than ¼”, peeled or chipped surfaces or discoloration
  • Price can range from $3 to $10
  • Will leave your driveway looking like new without the cost of tearing out and completely replacing your old driveway
  • Allows you to add decorative finishes such as concrete stamping or staining/coloring
  • Provides a longer-lasting and more aesthetically pleasing repair than patching
• Concrete engraving
  • Engrave a pattern in the surface of the concrete
  • Disguises minor cracking or discoloration
  • Cost varies depending on design choices
  • Concrete is stained, then a routing machine is used to cut a pattern into the surface, creating fake grout lines
• Recoloring
  • Can revive or correct the look of your concrete driveway
  • A new coat of acid or water-based stain is applied to the concrete driveway
  • Cost varies depending on color choices
  • Color is revived after discoloration due to weathering, sun exposure, improper color application, absorption of grease and oil stains
  • To revive the color, use a UV-resistant staining product and a high-quality sealer to maintain your driveway’s beauty for many years.
• Lifting sunken concrete by slab jacking
  • Good for driveway slab that is sinking in spots
  • Sunken spots are usually due to poorly compacted soil underneath the driveway or soil erosion.
  • Slabs are raised to their original position by pumping a mixture of materials underneath

Is it time for me to replace my entire concrete driveway?

Working with a qualified and experienced contractor can help you answer this question. In general, cracks or holes larger than ¼” often indicate a bigger problem that requires further investigation.

Consider the following: Are there roots growing under the concrete, causing it to lift or crack? Is there a pipe leak causing erosion under the slab causing it to sink, crack or discolor?  If these are the causes of the damage to your concrete driveway, you may have no other option than to tear out and replace your driveway.

Bear in mind that any repair is just a temporary fix. Some will last longer than others and could possibly last for many years. Just know that the structural integrity of your driveway is only as good as the underlying concrete. It will eventually require more repair or replacement in the long run. In the short run, repairs will definitely save you money, but you are just delaying a much bigger job.

Should I fix it myself or hire a contractor?

As with most home improvement projects, if you do it yourself, you will keep costs down. That is, if you have the right tools and the skills to do the job right the first time. Patching or filling small cracks can easily be done as a DIY project with premixed patch material.

However, you should leave larger projects to the professionals. Larger resurfacing projects require surface prep, precise concrete mixing and finishing. Coloring, re-coloring, and staining should be done by a professional who understands how coloring products work together. Engraving and slab jacking both require specialized equipment and training. Again, these jobs are best left the pros.

As you think about repairing your concrete driveway, keep in mind the size of the project and how the final product will look. For a quality, high-end look, call the professionals at Concrete Decor Contractor at 1-818-722-8124 for a consultation. We will leave your concrete driveway looking like new!