It’s common for concrete driveways to sustain damage over years of daily use, as well as standard wear and tear. In some cases, cracking and visible damage on a concrete driveway is nothing more than a cosmetic defect, and does not impede on the structural integrity of the driveway.
On the other hand, there are some kinds of driveway damage that are more serious, which can result in collapse, major potholes, and other kinds of structural failures that can put vehicles at risk. But, many property owners often find themselves asking, “Where do I start on repairing my driveway?”. In this post from the Alpha Paving blog, we’ll discuss how our team performs concrete driveway repair in Portland, OR, and the surrounding areas.
Clean Driveway Surface Using Pressure Washer & Cleaning Solution
Before you start the concrete driveway repair process, you should first ensure that the driveway is clean of any mildew, mold, or dirt. In driveways that are broken and cracked, it’s common for grime and dirt to accumulate within the cracks of the concrete. When the cracks in the concrete contain dirt, the fillers won’t work as intended.
In order to ensure that the cracks in the concrete are properly filled, our team uses a pressure washer to clean out all of the cracks of dirt, mold, mildew, and grime. Then we use a specially formulated concrete cleaning solution to ensure any oil spills or tough dirt spots are completely removed from the concrete before. Once the concrete is thoroughly cleaned, we get started on the actual concrete driveway repair process.
Fill In Cracks Cracks Using Concrete Filler
Next, the Lone Star Paving team uses specialized concrete filler to fill in any cracks that are larger than 1/4th of an inch wide. These larger cracks typically require special attention and must be dealt with individually, as opposed to smaller cracks that can be filled during the resurfacing process.
After filling in the cracks, we use a flat trowel to force the filler deep into the cracks, and then to smooth the surface and make it level with the rest of the driveway. Once the larger cracks have been filled with concrete filler individually, it’s time to move on to resurfacing.
Apply Resurfacer & Wait To Set
After larger cracks are filled, and the material dries overnight, a thin layer of resurfacer will be placed over the entirety of the driveway. At Alpha Paving, we typically wet the driveway before applying resurfacing to ensure that the driveway doesn’t dry too quickly. When concrete dries too quickly, it can result in cracks in the surface, which may be why you need concrete driveway repair in Portland. OR in the first place.
Once resurfacer has been placed over the whole driveway, we’ll use a rubber squeegee to even it out and ensure that it’s as smooth as possible and crack-free for years to come. We’ll then apply texture to the driveway to give it a unique look, and make it not slippery when wet. The driveway will be safe for foot traffic within 6 hours, and vehicles after 24 hours.
Seal Coat Newly Repaired Driveway
Finally, we recommend seal coating your newly repaired driveway to make it as durable and long-lasting as possible. If you choose to seal coat your driveway, our team will apply our seal coating as a top layer to provide extra protection from chemical, water, and sunlight damage. This helps avoid repairs in the future and considerably increases the lifespan of your concrete driveway. Learn more about our seal coating services in Portland, OR here.
Looking For Concrete Driveway Repair in Portland, OR? Trust Lone Star Paving To Get The Job Done
At Alpha Paving, we’re the number one choice for concrete repair in Portland, OR done right. Our team never cuts corners and utilizes the highest quality materials in order to provide an unparalleled level of service. To learn more about how we can help repair your Portland, OR driveway, give us a call or contact us online today and schedule your free quote. For the highest quality driveway repair in Portland, OR trust the team at Alpha Paving.
