How To Determine If You Should Repair Or Replace Your Concrete Driveway In Imperial Beach
Concrete driveways are one of the most common types of driveway materials on the market today. With a wide variety of shapes, colors and styles, it is easier than ever to find a concrete driveway that suits your needs. One problem many owners face with their new concrete driveways though is how fast they deteriorate over time. Below we have outlined some reasons why you might need to repair or replace your concrete driveway this winter.
Alkali Aggregate Reactivity
If your driveway is any color other than black, you are most likely experiencing the effects of alkali aggregate reactivity (AAR). AAR occurs when there are harsh chemicals in the mixture of your concrete and it causes the structure of the cement to dissolve, resulting in holes in your driveway. AAR is black in color and can be identified by these cavities or holes within the material. Most times, the only way to repair this problem would be to remove all of the affected concrete and replace it with new concrete completely.
Severe Cracks
If you are experiencing severe cracks in your concrete driveway, there might also be a problem with AAR. The solution to repairing these cracks is by filling them with rebar or mesh in order to reinforce the structure of your driveway.
Water Damage
If you are experiencing water damage within your concrete driveway, this could be an indicator that there might be a problem with AAR as well as groundwater leaking through the foundation of your home. In this case you will need to remove all affected parts and rebuild it from scratch.
Waves Or Ripples
Concrete driveways should not have even the slightest bit of movement when foot traffic occurs on top of it. If you notice any sort of “waves” or “ripples”, then there might be a structural problem with your driveway and you should consult a professional immediately. You can also test if driveway is structurally sound by using a level on it.
Judge By Your Driveway’s Age
Concrete driveways will usually last anywhere from 15-30 years depending on the quality of materials used to create it and the amount of foot traffic that occurs on the driveway. If your driveway is over 30 years old, it might be time to consider replacing your current one with a new one so you do not have to worry about dangerous cracking or AAR issues for much longer.
If after checking all of these things you are still unsure if you should repair or replace your concrete driveway this winter, contact a professional today. They would be able to come out and inspect your driveway in more detail before making any decisions about how to proceed. This way they can ensure that every necessary step has been taken in order for you to have a safe and beautifully constructed driveway that will last for years.
Conclusion
In order to determine if you should repair or replace your concrete driveway this winter, make sure you check for any of the problems listed above. For more information, contact our professionals at Concrete Contractor Imperial Beach at (619) 414-1918.
