Driveways are often plagued by a common nemesis: cracks. But fear not, understanding the cause is the first step to keeping them at bay. It’s not a matter of if your driveway will crack, but when. Not all cracks are the same, so understanding what causes cracking to occur can help prevent the deterioration of your driveway.
Temperature Fluctuations
Rapid changes of weather are a common cause of cracking in driveways. The change of temperatures causes the existing water in the concrete to expand and contract leading to cracking. An easy solution to this is to make sure the air content in the concrete is in an appropriate range when installing the driveway. With the right percentage of air, that expanding water will have a pocket to expand in thus avoiding cracking your driveway. Post installation, this can be harder but clearing ice & snow from your driveway or using a concrete sealer can help.
Heavy Loads
Cracking can arise when heavy loads are applied. Most residential driveways are built to withstand your basic cars, trucks & SUVs. If heavier vehicles are driving or parking on a driveway, cracks may arise quickly because the driveway was not designed to support the pressure. Even if the driveway was built with stronger PSI concrete and the correct steel, cracking may arise because the soil underneath cannot support it.
Planning and Installation Errors
Errors during planning and installation can also lead to cracking and affect the longevity of your concrete driveway. Some common questions to consider include:
- Did the contractor use the proper base material and compact it sufficiently? If not, this could lead to support and settling problems leading to cracks.
- Did the contractor place steel wire mesh or rebar in the center of the driveway? If not, the structural integrity may be affected by cars and trucks.
- What concrete mix was used? Contractors should collaborate with an engineer and their supplier to know what kind of mix design is appropriate for the project.
- Were joints placed? What was the spacing of the joints? The joints are needed to control where the cracking will occur.
Tree Root Intrusion
Tree roots are a common cause of concrete cracking. Even though you cannot see the roots underground, the roots generally extend to the radius of the branches and limbs of the trees. The best way to deal with trees is to avoid planting them too close to the concrete or remove them. Eventually those roots will apply enough pressure to cause cracking.
Driveway cracks may seem like an inevitable nuisance but understanding their root causes can help with prevention. By addressing issues such as temperature fluctuations, heavy loads, planning and installation errors, and tree root intrusion, individuals can extend the longevity of their driveways and preserve the integrity of their properties.
