Repairing Concrete Surfaces in Los Angeles

Maybe being home more recently has had you looking over your home maintenance or maybe you just had time to really get around to all the things you had been wanting to do, but never had the time or put off for something else.  Whatever the reason might be, you’ve now noticed issues with your concrete driveway and are seeking ways to repair and have it looking like new.  In recent weeks I have heard more questions and concerns about concrete driveway repairs; from costs, to DIY, to how much time it can take.  So I’ve decided to answer some of these questions and help guide you in navigating your driveway.

First, We Need to Identify the Issues Occurring

Concrete driveways and other surfaces can have several different types of issues. Like anything that deals with the home, how much it will cost to fix and whether or not you should call a professional depends upon how complex the repairs will be. Of course, unless you are a professional, I will always suggest using consulting with one as they are the ones who will know just what type of damage you may have and how bad it is.

I am going to list a few of the common issues; what they look like and common solutions to them.

• Cracking: Cracks are quite common to concrete and can vary in seriousness.  Small cracks can be caused by a variety of reasons, such as vegetation or the earth underneath settling. Small cracks, less than ¼” wide, can easily be repaired with filler and then the whole driveway can be sealed to prevent further damage. Much larger cracks indicate something worse is going on and you may need to have your driveway replaced.
• Blistering: Blisters in concrete occur when air is trapped during the drying process.  Rough patches take place on your driveway when the blisters pop. This is easy to repair and is usually not serious.
• Curling: When curling occurs, the concrete takes an odd, or curved shaped or it can occur when the corners of the driveway turn upwards or downwards. This tends to happen due to issues in the drying process.
• Staining: Staining occurs when everyday things like oil, grease, gas and such is spilled or leaked onto the driveway and allowed to sit and dry. Often this leads to ugly, dark stains that stand out against the concrete and the longer they are they, the more they settle making it harder to remove them.

What is Causing All These Problems?

There are many reasons your concrete patio or driveway may be cracking. It could be:

• Roots from trees or other plants are lifting the concrete from underneath
• An inadequate concrete mix was used.
• The ground underneath your concrete was not packed down properly.
• Bad placement procedures were used.
• Your concrete was exposed to severe or extreme weather.

Okay, but What are My Repair Options?

When it comes to concrete, you are in luck! It’s oftentimes easier and cheaper to repair than other driveway materials.  I am going to the talk about the three most common ways that a concrete driveway can be repaired. 

• Overlay: When issues are only contained to the surface and have not reached below the top layers you add an overlay, or extra layer of concrete to the driveway. This is an easy and quick process and one you could do at home. If you do choose to DIY, make sure to consult with a professional about the types of concrete mix and follow the directions carefully, also use a sealer!  The sealer will help to prevent a lot of common issues.
• Partial Repair: In a partial repair, the damaged area of the concrete is cut away and removed. The area is then cleaned and prepped before a new concrete is poured on top of the original surface. After that, an overlay is applied to the whole driveway to ensure it is even and smooth and a sealer is applied. 
• Full Repair: In this repair the driveway will be completely gutted. The driveway will be torn up, the steel will be repaired and then filled back in and sealed. Depending on the size of your driveway, this will take some time and will require a professional. 

Can I Add Designs to My Repaired Concrete?

One of the cool things about doing concrete repair is if you want to add a design to it, you can!  Take that old boring driveway, add a cool color or design and sit back as people complement your awesome driveway or patio!

What are some design elements you can add? You can add color and stamping to mimic the look and feel of more traditional patio surfaces, such as wood or tile. And the great thing about concrete is how durable and low-maintenance it is compared to other options. Concrete will last for decades looking almost new, as long as you keep it clean with everyday cleaning materials.

When you are ready to take care of those unsightly cracks in your concrete, give us a call at Concrete Décor Conctractor at 1-818-722-8124. We’ll make sure your concrete is looking like new!