Driveway repairs in Vancouver, WA and Clark County

Driveway repair or replacement?

Look at how much of the driveway is damaged and why. One or two panels that cracked under a heavy truck or a tree root can usually be cut out and replaced on their own. When cracks run through most of the panels, or the whole driveway has sunk because the ground under it washed out, a repair only buys a little time, and replacing the driveway is the better use of your money.

Tevita will tell you which one makes sense when he comes out to look. If it’s a repair, you’ll know exactly which panels are being replaced.

How a driveway panel repair works

The damaged section is cut along its control joints with a concrete saw, broken up and hauled away. The ground underneath gets checked, since a soft spot or a washed-out base is usually what broke the panel in the first place. It gets dug out, refilled and compacted, then the new concrete is poured level with the panels around it and finished to match their texture.

Matching new concrete to an old driveway

New concrete is lighter than concrete that has weathered for years, so a repaired panel stands out at first. It evens out over time, and sealing the whole driveway afterward helps the old and new sections look more alike.

Small driveway cracks

Hairline cracks are normal and mostly cosmetic. Wider cracks let water get under the slab, which softens the base and makes the crack grow, so it’s worth having them cleaned out and sealed before they turn into a broken panel.