While they can be filled, the fix is often temporary. Uneven cracks bigger than an inch wide occur more often in older driveways than in newer ones and almost always indicate underlying structural issues. Consider calling a professional if you have a lot of deep breaks or jagged cracks, or if you see loose gravel.
If the concrete has deteriorated so much that the repair will only fix part of the problem, a full replacement is necessary, no question. Where the decision becomes a little more grey is when a repair will solve the issues of your cracked, flaking or worn down concrete but the problems will surface again quickly.
Cracks of greater width than 0.3 mm may present structural durability issues. If a crack on a concrete floor or slab widens sufficient to present a tripping hazard, it is considered serious and requiring repair.
A well-made concrete structure should not develop structural cracks quickly. Nevertheless, hairline cracks can be expected. Don't stress; these cracks are not a sign of bad quality and can be fixed without much effort.
While you may see small driveway cracks as nothing important, they can be the first sign that you may have foundation issues.
Small cracks here and there that are narrower than ¼ inch are most likely the result of shrinkage as the driveway cured. Like spider web cracks, these small cracks do not indicate a larger problem, and they often show up soon after the concrete is poured.
Poured correctly and well-maintained, asphalt pavement can last for nearly 20 years. However, it still requires steady maintenance over time. A driveway should be resealed about every 3 years and often, asphalt driveway cracks develop and need to be repaired more frequently than that.
Cracks in your concrete driveway or other concrete surfaces might not look good, but often they aren't cause for concern. However, there are cracks that should be dealt with as they can become a problem in the future.
Here are some potential problems if a crack gets wide enough for water to seep into the slab: Water can rust your rebar, causing serious damage to your concrete. Rusting/cracking weakens the foundation.
Foundation cracks are, for obvious reasons, one of the number one signs of foundation failure. However, not all foundation cracks are created the same, which means they won't all require the same repair method—some may not require repair at all.
Water is the number one cause of damage to pavement. Once it gets into any cracks, it can cause damage to your parking lot that requires time-consuming and expensive repairs that may potentially disrupt your business.
According to HomeAdvisor, a driveway repair professional will charge as little as $300 to fix minor concrete driveway cracks, but most homeowners can do the job on their own with a rubber or synthetic crack filler. This costs about $0.10 to $0.15 per linear foot—but watch out if cracks are larger than 1/8 of an inch.
For cracks ½" to 2" wide, fill the crack with non-porous foam backer rod material before applying crack filler. For potholes or cracks wider than 2", you'll need to do a little more repair. Shovel packaged cold-patch blacktop into the well-cleaned hole, and then use an iron rake to level the patch.
While it is ideal to seal cracks during spring and fall, it is also possible to do so during colder days – even during winter! Regardless of the actual ambient temperature, so long as the cracks are dry and heated to at least 40⁰F to 50⁰F using a torch or hot air lance, you can apply asphalt crack filler.
The average life of your concrete driveway will depend on installation methods, environmental conditions and temperatures. However, you can expect your surface to last anywhere from 25 to 30 years with proper care. The key to prolonging the life of your investment is to pay attention to wear and tear each season.
Here's how to know if a crack is structural: One of the easiest 'tells' for structural damage cracks is that they grow over time. A thin, non-structural crack can quickly become a structural foundation crack if it gets wider after several weeks or months.
Typically, larger cracks (those bigger than 15mm in width) are a cause for concern, as they could point to structural issues. You'll want to get these inspected by a structural engineer.
Renco Tip: If you can put more than a quarter in the foundation crack call for a contractor for a professional inspection and repair options. While some mortar-based hairline cracks are common, anything larger is posing a threat.
Size matters when evaluating concrete cracks. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) standard for cracks in interior slabs requires repairing cracks that exceed three-sixteenths inches wide or high (vertical displacement).
Any damage to your home's foundation is not good. If left untreated, foundation cracks can become bigger and bigger, and compromise the structure of your home. The bigger the cracks are, the more they can compromise the integrity of your structure and the more expensive they will be to repair.
Cracks that are identified as small and fine (less than 0.3 mm in width), are generally deemed acceptable as part of minor settlement depending on the purpose and intent of the concrete structure, the environment it is placed in, the design-life and the durability design.
As a general rule, if the cracks are less than a quarter-inch wide, you can get away with repairing the surface. You may then opt to reseal or refinish the entire surface to ensure the driveway has a uniform appearance. For cracks greater than a 6.5mm, repairing is simply a Band-Aid.