The cost of resurfacing your driveway is usually cheaper than replacing the entire concrete slab. However, larger cracks will need to be repaired first for optimal results. The first step of the work is always the preparation of the surface, to ensure that the new concrete adheres to the old one. Rejuvenation of the roadway is best done on clean and structurally sound surfaces.
Small cracks can be covered with resurfacing materials, but larger cracks will need to be filled in first for optimal results. Keep in mind that resurfacing will not solve problems that cause damage to concrete, such as the movement of the underlying soil. This occurs at the edges of an asphalt driveway, often near the platform, or in the area connecting the public street to the entrance, where the top layer is too thin. It looks unsightly, but the main parts of your entrance are still intact.
Remedy this with a border of brick, concrete or other materials. According to HomeAdvisor, an asphalt driveway typically lasts 20 to 25 years, while a well-maintained concrete driveway can last twice as long. The cost of resurfacing concrete depends on several factors, including the size of your site, the materials chosen for finishing and how many repairs are needed. Working with a concrete company is usually the best option for many projects related to concrete, since it is not the easiest material to master, but this is not one of them.
FIXR provides cost guides, comparisons and term reference sheets for hundreds of remodeling, installation and repair projects. For cracks below a quarter of an inch, specialists use concrete seals or a liquid-based concrete crack filler. A concrete compound is mixed to fill in the cracks and form strong bonds with the concrete surface. Concrete resurfacing essentially involves placing a thin layer of concrete over your old entrance to make it look new.
These sealants fill small cracks and imperfections and provide a protective layer on top of the driveway. In some cases, even this option is not enough and you need to make a complete replacement of the concrete slab sidewalk. Other reasons why cracks occur are pouring concrete over a frozen site or the absence of control joints. The heavy weight of cars, oil leaks, exposure to the elements, erosion and cracking of concrete all contribute to the deterioration of a driveway. After reading about each of the three main repair options, you may be wondering what they look like next to each other.
Instead of tearing up the top layer, a protective sealant is applied to prevent cracking problems and reduce the appearance of cosmetic imperfections. It is difficult to estimate a total cost because it depends entirely on how cracked your driveway is. The reason for this is that concrete companies have to follow commercial and local building codes, while DIY remodelers don't.
