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You ask a lot of your driveway, parking heavy vehicles on it, the kids use it as hopscotch central and it’s the perfect place for those summer barbeques and garage sales. Summer is a prime time for driveway cracking, and sometimes it’s just unavoidable. However, it’s a real eye sore so make sure you keep an eye out for red flags. If you catch a crack early, it can mean an easier, more affordable repair—and a fast return to your premium curb appeal. Weather is the leading cause of driveway cracks, especially those really high temperatures some Americans experience. Add in summer thunderstorms along with last winter’s salt and your driveway doesn’t stand a fighting chance. In addition to extreme heat, quickly shifting temperatures and spastic weather patterns can wreak havoc on concrete. Your driveway survived freezing temperatures, snow, hail and ice from the winter, but that sizzling sun might do it in. Concrete’s Biggest Enemy It’s not just your driveway that’s at risk, but any other part of your home that utilizes concrete. Think garage floors, patios, stone steps and every other exterior area that’s exposed. However, since driveways take the most abuse on a daily basis, they’re naturally the “first to crack” under pressure. If installed correctly, your driveway boasts expansion joins which can ease the weather cycles—but are you sure it has those? In older homes or properties built using shortcuts, they may not have been included. Another top cause of cracks is water. It also causes expansion and contracting, but can also get into weak areas and slowly works away at them (kind of like decay hiding near your wisdom teeth). Water is a pro at wearing down expansion joints, which is why you need to ensure proper drainage. Preventative maintenance is key here. The Unavoidable Of course, even if your driveway is properly installed and there’s good drainage, simple wear and tear can lead to a crack. Weeds or roots might have been attacking it, you might have a penchant for heavy machinery parked on a daily basis and even toys like RVs and boats can cause damage. If the damage has been done, what’s next? There are two options: Do it yourself or call in the professionals. Unfortunately for avid DIYers, it’s impossible to see just how extensive the damage is with the naked eye. Minor concrete patches might be doable, but what if you miss an underlying problem? Only pros have the right equipment and knowledge to restore your driveway for the long haul. Use your summer for better things, like sidewalk art with the kids—just make sure you have the right crack-free “canvas” for a masterpiece.
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