Why is my driveway cracking

The winter months represent one of the most likely seasons in which cracks form in asphalt. The natural processes and reactions that occur due to the changes in the temperature and the weather have a clear cause and effect relationship with the cracks in your driveway.

All asphalt is susceptible to cracks forming through changes in moisture retention and temperature changes. After heavy snow or rainfall, the moisture will seep through the surface and into the area below. Changes in temperature then cause the moisture to expand and cause cracks to form in asphalt. While the cold winter months can cause a high volume of asphalt cracking, the other end of the spectrum can be just as hazardous.

Extreme heat can cause the asphalt to expand, with the pressure causing cracks to form. During the peak times in the summer, where the days are longer and the temperatures climb to dangerous levels, the heat can also begin to create cracks in your asphalt. Wear and tear Because your driveway get a lot of traffic, over time your driveway will wear down.

There are several reasons to invest in a concrete driveway Driveway will slope toward the street for proper water drainage Low cost Driveway is leveled The concrete is properly mixed according to length, width and thickness Colors and decorative finished can be added We produce a sturdy concrete surface at a reasonable price We will make sure your driveway is installed correctly so that it lasts a long time.

We know you want to know what you are getting into far before deciding on the best company to provide services for your home or workplace. You can meet one of our team, learn more about the process, and find out what TLC your property needs. Just complete this short form or give us a call at Name First Last. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Jobs News. Real Estate News. After driveway resurfacing, we recommend a coat of SealantPro concrete sealant to protect your driveway from future cracking, pitting, crumbling and staining.

We can even develop a customized comprehensive solution that can lift, level and seal your existing driveway so it will not only have a new surface but also be just as level as the day it was poured. If you're ready to renew your tired, broken old driveway, give us a call at Our concrete experts will come to your home and walk you through a thorough inspection. You'll then receive a detailed estimate at the appointment for a solution that's customized for your home.

Apply Now. Apply Now Close. Service Area Customer Resources Search. But first, let's talk about why good concrete goes bad.

Above: Over time, water and erosion can cause concrete slabs to sink and crack Sprinkling salt to your driveway and sidewalks doesn't help either. Staining Reduces the Attractiveness of Your Concrete Above: Oil stained driveway concrete In addition to damage caused by freezing and thawing, concrete's porous nature makes it susceptible to staining from chemicals, dirt and other materials.

So, how can you prevent all this from happening? Applying Concrete Driveway Sealant to Prevent Damage The key to protecting your driveway for the long term is to seal it from the elements. How Our Concrete Driveway Sealant Works SealantPro is a state-of-the-art material that bonds with concrete on a molecular level, permanently protecting it from water, dirt and other contaminants in a single coat.

What if the Damage is Already Done? Above: Stained, pitted concrete can be restored using ResurfacePro. These empty spaces make the concrete weaker and more prone to cracking. While plastic shrinkage cracks can happen anywhere in a slab or wall, they almost always happen at reentrant corners corners that point into the slab or with circular objects in the middle of a slab pipes, plumbing fixtures, drains, and manholes.

Since concrete cannot shrink around a corner, stress will cause the concrete to crack from the point of that corner. Plastic shrinkage cracks are typically very narrow in width and barely visible. An excessively wet mix is a contributing factor to shrinkage in concrete.

While water is an essential ingredient in every concrete mix , there is such a thing as too much water. When the mix contains too much water, the slab will shrink more than if the correct amount of water was used.

Hot weather is another big reason for plastic shrinkage cracks. Control joints can be incorporated into the slab to prevent shrinkage cracking. The joints will open up as the concrete slab gets smaller. Just like a balloon, heat causes concrete to expand.