Driveways are an important part of many family’s homes. They are a place you can store and rest your vehicle during times of inactivity. They can also be places to play a game of basketball, hop-scotch, or various other games and activities. Due to all these functions a driveway can serve and come under pressure from, the possibility of it becoming cracked at some point of your lifetime is high. So, how do you go about concrete repairs for driveways?

The first thing you need to realize is that driveways repairs will typically be needed on a concrete driveway after 25 to 50 years, depending on factors like maintenance and regular weather conditions. The next is that not all concrete repairs will be the same. The specific condition your driveway is in will determine the extent of the concrete repairs you’ll need.

Here are your three options when it comes to concrete driveway repairs.

1. Patch: The freeze-thaw cycles of the winter weather is one of the biggest culprits for cracked concrete. The good news is that if these little cracks are the only thing that’s wrong with your driveway you probably only need to invest in patch repairs. The general rule of thumb is cracks that are smaller than one-quarter of an inch wide can be filled with some sort of liquid product. This is a relatively inexpensive fix and can be done by the amateur do-it-yourselfer.
2. Resurface: If the condition of your driveway is worse than just a few small cracks, you may need to replace it altogether. Before you do that though, there may be another option. Many contractors can take the top layer of concrete off your driveway and resurface it afterwards. This is cheaper and less time-consuming than a complete replacement, but still efficienct means to tackle a driveway with a lot of wear-and-tear.
3. Replace: In the event your driveway is in total disrepair, sometimes the only option is complete replacement. This is a job best left to a professional and although it will likely be the most expensive option, it will ensure that you’ll be left with a quality driveway that should stay in tact for many years to come.

Remember, every driveway’s life is different so while estimate time and numbers are a good gauge you’ll want to have a professional examine your driveway’s condition to determine the best course of action.