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Asked by: Enea Wallois
business and finance construction industryWhy did my concrete driveway crack?
The most common cause of cracks in driveways is improper installation, usually in the form of a poorly constructed base or subbase. When this loose material gets moist, the freeze-thaw cycles cause the material to expand and contract, putting uneven pressure on the driveway and causing the concrete or asphalt to crack.
Thereof, is it normal for a concrete driveway to crack?
Cracking is a normal occurrence when it comes to concrete driveways unless it's excessive and it happens very soon after installation. Cracks will need to be sealed to prevent further damage which is part of the ongoing maintenance of a concrete driveway that will need to be performed on a regular basis.
In this way, what causes concrete driveway cracks?
Concrete driveways can crack for many reasons. Repeated freezing and thawing, heavy loads, tree roots and even shifts in the ground can cause damage. When you learn how to repair cracks in a concrete driveway, you may be able to stop them before they lead to bigger problems.
Because concrete is a very rigid material, this shrinking creates stress on the concrete slab. Especially in hot weather, shrinkage cracks can occur as early as a few hours after the slab has been poured and finished. Often, plastic shrinkage cracks are only a hairline in width and are barely visible.