Whether you’re pulling in after a long day at work or making chalk drawings with your kids on the weekend, your concrete driveway endures plenty of wear and tear over the years. But how do you know when flaws are ignorable and when they should be repaired by a professional? If you’re unfamiliar with the issues that can affect your driveway, use the points below to get in the know.

3 Concrete Driveway Problems That Warrant Repair

1. Cracking

As poured concrete dries, it contracts or shrinks, which makes the surface vulnerable to cracking. While these rifts may only affect the top of your driveway at first, if left unaddressed, they can expand and travel deeper. The best solution for fixing cracks early on is to remove loose pieces and resurface the areas with concrete filler. However, once cracks reach the subgrade, the lower part of the driveway,  you may need to replace the entire driveway to preserve its structural integrity.

2. Scaling

In the winter, the use of de-icing salts can be abrasive to concrete surfaces. One of the side effects is known as scaling or spalling, and it occurs when the top layer starts to chip or flake off into scale-like pieces. This may also be caused by the repetitive freezing and thawing of ice on your driveway or the absence of a sealant. To repair this issue, contractors have to sand down the driveway and resurface it with a light coating of material. Fortunately, this is less of an ongoing problem in the South than it is in New England or the Midwest.

3. Buckling

As trees grow, their roots can expand greatly, securing their hold on the ground below. While this might make for a healthy tree, it can disrupt other areas of your property, such as your concrete surfaces. In some cases, strong roots can grow under your driveway, exuding pressure until they force the slab to buckle and split. If your driveway is buckling, a contractor will need to remove the roots and cracked slab and add a patch to keep surrounding areas in place.

If you’re dealing with any of these concrete issues, get in touch with Bellis Concrete Construction of Cookeville, TN. This family-owned company has been installing everything from patios to retaining walls since 1997, and they work on both residential and commercial properties. In addition to installation, they can also handle whatever repair issues come your way. To learn more about their skills, visit the website, or call (931) 528-6240 to make an appointment.