Introduction
When the concrete on your driveway is damaged, it can make your whole property look bad. Whether it’s cracked or uneven, repairing a concrete driveway is no easy task. But don’t worry! We’ve got tips to help you get started, even if you’re not an experienced DIYer.
Level Out the Concrete
To level out your concrete, you will need to first remove any existing cracks and uneven areas. This is done by using a chisel and hammer to cut the concrete away or by using a jackhammer. You can also use a shovel to dig out any unwanted pieces of concrete.
After removing all of the broken and uneven areas, you can now start leveling out your driveway by raising one side of it with sandbags or bricks. Once this has been done, you can easily fill in the low parts of your driveway using sand or gravel until it is even with the rest of your driveway again!
Flatten the Driveway
Core drilling is a great way to save money and get a professional-looking driveway. Core drilling involves removing the old concrete, adding new gravel, and compacting it with heavy equipment. This process can take several days, depending on how much of your driveway needs to be removed and replaced.
When you’re ready to start concrete core drilling, there are a few things you need before breaking down any concrete:
- A jackhammer (or similar) for breaking up hard ground
- Sledgehammers for breaking up soft ground
- Chisels for cutting through tough spots in your driveway
Identify and Repair Cracks
- Check for cracks in the concrete. Use a mirror and flashlight to inspect your driveway, looking for cracks that are more than 3/8″ wide or deep. If you find any, follow the instructions below to patch them up.
- Cut a chunk of Portland cement into blocks that match the size of each crack you need to repair—i.e., if there’s one long crack down the center of your driveway, cut one block large enough to cover it completely on both sides (see illustration).
Surface Finishing
If you have a damaged concrete driveway, the first step to repairing it is to remove all loose material from around the edges. This can be done by using a concrete float, trowel, or sprayer.
Next, use either a roller or brush to fill in any low spots in your driveway. Now it’s time to add some colors look at concrete painting in Brisbane. Using an edger tool works great for getting into nooks and crannies where other tools won’t fit.
Once you’ve achieved the desired finish on your driveway surface (smooth or textured), it’s time to seal up those cracks with another layer of paint so they don’t show up again.
Repair Large Pits and Holes
When dealing with large pits and holes in your driveway, there are several ways to repair them. If you want to use a concrete saw, you can rent one from your local hardware store. While using the saw, make sure that you’re wearing goggles so that dust doesn’t get into your eyes.
If you don’t have access to a concrete saw or if it’s not powerful enough for the job at hand, then try using a hammer and chisel instead of renting one. The same rules apply here: protect yourself from flying debris by wearing goggles while operating any power tools or machinery involved in this task. You should also wear gloves while working with either type of tool, because they will ensure that no contaminants get into open wounds on your hands while they’re being used during this project.
Enhance the Look of Driveways
- Sweep the concrete with a broom. Use the broom to remove small pebbles and stones from your driveway, as well as any dirt that may have accumulated over time.
- Rake leaves and twigs away from your driveway with a leaf blower. If you don’t have access to a leaf blower, use the broom instead.
- Cut away any grass or weeds growing in between bricks on your concrete sleepers with an edger tool (available at most hardware stores). This will help keep weeds from growing in between bricks and make sure that water has a path for drainage into your gutters so they don’t clog up easily.
Smooth In Humps and Bumps
If your concrete driveway has many humps and bumps, it’s time to smooth out those imperfections. There are several different ways to do this, depending on the severity of your unevenness. For small hills and divots, you can use a handheld concrete grinder with a diamond blade attachment. This will help smooth out the surface but won’t completely get rid of the deep holes in the driveway:
- If you have larger gaps or holes in your concrete due to damage or erosion, consider using a jackhammer instead of just a handheld grinder:
- If even these options aren’t doing enough for you—or if they aren’t safe or feasible options—you can always opt for tearing up all or part of your driveway and resealing it from scratch.
Repairing a concrete driveway is not an easy DIY project.
Repairing a concrete driveway is not an easy DIY project. Concrete is strong and durable, but it can also be prone to cracking, spalling (small chips), and potholes as it gets older. Concrete driveways aren’t always the best choice for your home because they don’t drain well, leading to water buildup that causes cracks to form over time. In addition, concrete driveways are not porous enough for proper drainage and will eventually crack if you don’t take care of them properly after installation or repair work has been completed.
Conclusion
If you are looking to fix your concrete driveways because they are uneven, cracked, or broken, then we have the solution for you! We offer a wide range of services, including leveling out the concrete, repairing cracks and pits in your driveway, and repairing holes and soft spots in your garage flooring or basement floor. If you need help fixing your driveway, give us a call today at (919) 716-7051.
