While there isn't a whole lot of maintenance involved when you have a concrete driveway, it isn't a material that is going to last forever, and cracks will develop over time. In order to keep from needing your driveway replaced, you can easily do your own concrete crack repair. It is best to repair cracks while they are small, so they don't turn into larger cracks. Fixing them is going to keep moisture from seeping inside the cracks, and it is going to keep your driveway looking good.

The first thing you should do is figure out why the cracks are there in the first place. Cracks in concrete can be caused by many things, including too much vehicle weight, tree roots, impact, and standing water. Once you figure out the cause of the problem, figure out a way to eliminate it, and then repair the cracks:

Prepare the Area to be Repaired

No matter how small the crack is, you should clean it out to make sure that the surfaces are smooth. Otherwise, there may be loose bits and the materials you use to repair the concrete won't work as well. Use a chisel to break off any pieces that are just hanging there, and then get rid of any other dust and debris with a wire brush, followed by vacuuming to make sure there is no debris left inside the crack.

Fill in the Cracks

Once you have thoroughly cleaned the crack and are sure that there is no leftover debris, you can start repairing the crack. In addition to using the following directions, always be sure to read the directions on the crack repair materials in case there are any special instructions.

You will be using a concrete sealer, pourable grout, or textured caulk for this repair job.

These are all ideal for small cracks, and you don't have to mix any concrete. When using sealer or grout, make sure that the area you are working on is sprayed down with water prior to putting the products in the crack.

With the product you are using, you want to be sure that you use enough to fill up the crack fully. Use tools to push the materials into the crack so you can add more. In fact, if textured caulk is the material you are using, you will want to overfill it because it does shrink during the drying period. Allow the material to completely dry before using that part of the driveway. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.

Contact a company like Raw Worx Pty Ltd to learn more.