Seeing that your driveway is showing aging signs will make you wonder about the next plan of action.
You may consider prolonging the driveway’s usefulness to make it last. This is usually done by repairing, or even totally replacing the driveway.
While repairing or replacing your cracked concrete is largely based on the nature of the damage, there’s a need to consider other factors too.
Read on as we explain if you should repair or replace your damaged concrete driveway and the factors involved.
Repair Vs. Replace; Then and Now
Some several years ago, many would choose replacing damaged concrete as their preferred solution. However, this has since changed in the last decade.
Financial and economic factors made less-costly repair solutions more attractive, like the fight for a better sustainable greener housing environment. It’s been found that repairing existing concrete rather than replacing it decreases carbon footprint.
Advancement in technology has also allowed repair products to dry quicker while being more durable and stronger than before. Thus, further boosting the appeal of making repairs.
Now, contractors are savvier and more advanced in building construction, processes, and products. They can easily provide repair solutions that may have been very difficult or overlooked in the past.
Factors To Consider
In most cases, repairing or replacing your concrete driveway depends on how much damage has been done, and so should be looked at subjectively.
Consider the following and choose what’s best for you:
- Confirm if you can restore the concrete back to normal.
- Consider how damaged the concrete is.
- Check if there’s an exposed aggregate around it’s structure. If so, you have to replace it.
- Is the cracked concrete as a result of bad installation? If so, replacing the concrete is your best option.
- Check if it’s just a chipped or worn surface. If so, go for repairs.
Repair vs Replace; Making A Decision
Let’s look at some of the factors under different headings:
- Aesthetics
In terms of appearance or aesthetics, you may opt for repairs. Afterall, you can always stamp fresh repair materials to incorporate various designs which will make your repair project appear new and beautiful.
However, there are instances where a repair is the wrong decision. Don’t go for repairs if the sub-base has eroded. The concrete part would need to be removed, then replaced and compacted by a new sub-base.
More so, big cracks can be problematic, especially ones that extend to erode the sub-base. They would allow water in, which will locate the concrete weak points and cause further deterioration.
- Cost Restraints
Meanwhile, if the subbase isn’t a problem, you might end up deciding to replace or repair based on your budget.
While it costs more to replace damaged concrete, leaving your old concrete and putting a concrete resurfacer using a squeegee significantly lowers the costs.
- Interior
You may also want to consider the interior. It isn’t only the exterior that damages or deteriorates with time. Your interior floor can crack or become worn out. Replacing it can be costlier than the repair.
If you want to repair your worn-out interior concrete, consult contractors or professionals who can utilize self-leveling floor resurfacers. The resurfacers are efficient in raising the low area that’s 1 ½ inch deep.
You can still use the self-leveling floor resurfacer outside if you have a controlled environment where the floor is protected from excessive heat, wind, plus other natural phenomena.
- Newer Repair Solutions
What’s more, contractors can now provide customers with more repair solutions than before. Even though the constituents of concrete haven’t changed much for the past 20 years, repair materials and products have.
In particular, polymers can help create a powerful bond between old and new concrete. The acrylics help to add strength, while the beautiful finish works to disguise the patching.
Concrete companies have designed some good repair materials using different polymers, which has created more durability and higher bond strength.
Now, many repair materials are polymer-modified concrete, indicating that the basic material involves a portland cement plus an aggregate mixture and a polymer.
Repair vs Replace; Clear Signs To Watch Out For
Replacing old concrete, which may involve leveling, filling in, and strengthening the concrete, costs a lot of money and time.
Repairing or treating the surface can make the floor look good and new, and this is usually less costly.
Go for repairs when you notice any slight damage or deterioration of the concrete structures. Concrete repair is well suited for physical impacts, surface scaling, chipped-out surfaces, and cracks.
Meanwhile, here are some clear signs that you need concrete repair in your driveway: discoloration, small cracks, potholes, sunken areas, and crumbling edges.
In another vein, these are the obvious signs that show you need to replace your concrete driveway: drainage issue, extensive cracking, and aging poorly for over 30 years.
Click here if you’re looking for more detail on concrete repair materials.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, there are instances where concrete replacement is the only choice. However, if you prioritize aesthetics, time, and sustainability while considering your budget, opt for concrete repair.
Don’t attempt to do the concrete repair by yourself. Rather, demand the service of a professional and qualified engineer. You can look for a reliable company that offers repair services, like concrete spalling repair, to handle the project.
Many construction companies are readily available for your concrete repairs in Australia.
For instance, Brookvale Industrial Maintenance, is one of the reliable firms you can trust.
We’re an established, professional remedial building maintenance firm that provides responsive and high-quality service to commercial and multi-residential properties in Australia.
We service a range of clients, and are confident that we can assist you with any type of building maintenance requirements.
Also, our firm is experienced in working with engineers and building consultants that can offer specialist expertise in your concrete cancer repair and other structural works.
Contact BIM Sydney today for your concrete repair works in Australia.
