Driveways PROTECTING CONCRETE It is very important to protect concrete driveways, particularly in areas where a large amount of salt is used on the roads to clear ice or snow during the winter. The salt eats into the concrete causing the surface to deteriorate and break up. The small nickel or quarter sized holes that appear are referred to as "pop outs". Once the surface has been damaged the concrete will rapidly deteriorate. It is not practical to try and refinish concrete that has been damaged in this manner. The use of a good quality sealant will protect the concrete against moisture and salt penetration while still allowing it to breath. The product should be clear (invisible) after it has dried, combat algae and fungus growth, and provides freeze-thaw stability. The use of a good quality waterproofing sealant before the damage occurs will save you a lot of money. Sealants can be purchased from most concrete companies and at major hardware stores. Most sealants are designed to be applied with a hand pump deck type sprayer. Recommend Applying "L&M Aquqpel Plus" once every 10 years. Available locally: Janelle Concrete & Masonry Equipment in Dayton, 866-9111 Driveways SINKING CONCRETE Concrete driveways are usually made in sections. Quite often one or more of these sections will sink. In most cases this is due to poor water drainage, but it can also be the result of ground movement, subsidence or poor construction. These problems can be repaired. First of all, any drainage or water problems need to be addressed. Water that flows toward the affected area or tends to pool on or close to the patio, as well as water that may be coming from down spouts, will need to be channeled away from the affected area. A good rule of thumb is for the water to be discharged approximately 15 feet away from the affected area. There are then two options for repairing the sunken slab. The first choice is to remove the offending slab and pour a new slab. This involves a lot of work and takes time and tends to be expensive. If there are concrete slabs adjacent to the one being repaired there may be a color difference between the new and the old concrete for quite a while. The second choice is to have a concrete leveling company raise the slab by concrete lifting also known as "mud jacking". This option is for slabs that are in good condition, slabs with numerous cracks or crumbling concrete cannot be lifted successfully. This lifting process involves drilling one or more small holes through the slab and a special concrete mix is then pumped under pressure into the area under the sunken slab. As the new concrete is pumped in it raises the slab, returning it to its original height or position. In some cases "mud jacking" can save as much as fifty percent off the cost of replacement. Note: If the driveway settles or sinks with a slope that sends water toward the house, repairs must be undertaken immediately. This type of excessive water flow will over time undermine the foundation of the home. |
