I had a new concrete driveway installed 11 years ago. Now it has small cracks all over. What can I use that isn't ugly?

HoopHasIt
by HoopHasIt
  12 answers
  • Janna A Janna A on May 14, 2012
    They sell a coating at home improvement stores, I think its like an epoxy. Ive seen it put on, never did it myself, but it looks easy to do
  • Terry the cement driveway always had these cracks in it or what appears to be cracks, although you never saw them as the cement was filling them up. As time goes on the cement wears like any other material. And the softer cement between the harder areas simply has eroded away. Leaving those tiny spider web type cracks on the surface. As KMS said about sealing. This is more important now then ever. These tiny cracks that have appeared will now hold even more moisture and through any freeze thaw cycles that you may encounter the expansion of the water will open them up into real cracks. By sealing this and preventing the water from ponding in the small cracks you will not only extend the life of the drive, but make it look much better then it does.
  • HoopHasIt HoopHasIt on May 14, 2012
    Thanks for the input. It has never been sealed. Also, the wood that frames between the blocks is gone on part of it. I've been told to use the clear stuff you would use around a swimming pool. I've also started power washing and am afraid I may make it worse but feel like it needs to be clean before I put a sealer on it. I just know I need to do something before it gets really bad again. I'm just not sure what and of course want it to look nice.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 15, 2012
    Power washing should be done "sparingly" as it can be quite aggressive and actually speed the weathering process. You should get this sealed / top coated as soon as you can. The sealer is like a "paint job" for wood...it protects and looks good.
  • The wood that was between the cement sections was used to prevent cracking. If the driveway was poured as one large slab the weight and movement would have caused all sorts of cracking. Remove what is left of the wood and purchase closed cell backer foam rods. Found in the cement isle of most box stores. This is put in between the 1/2 inch space and pushed down so its just about a half inch lower then the top of the cement. Then using a pourable urethane caulk or lots of tube caulking fill the space left up to the top. if done properly this will last you many years. As KMS said careful with the power wash. Keep the wand away from the cement and keep it moving. Going to slow will speed up the cement removal process by eroding even more cement opening more cracks. You just want to remove the patina of soil off of the cement, nothing more. Let it dry real well. Hot days are the best. Then follow the manufactures suggestions on how to apply their product. Going to a high end paint supplier, is the best place to purchase cement stains and paints. Stuff sold at the big box stores is ok, but the people who work there have no idea in most cased how to install it, or an understanding on how to fix any application issues should you have them.
  • Nancy Rhodes C Nancy Rhodes C on May 16, 2012
    I never knew driveways need to be sealed. Sealed with what? All I ever do is hose mine down. Talk more about sealing driveways. And while you are at it, how do you get growing grass out of the cracks of old driveways. I put Weed be Gone and that didn't phase the grass.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 16, 2012
    Nancy Rhodes...take a peek at the link I posted at the top of this thread...it has some basic info on sealers. As far as your grass goes have you tried Round-up? I'm normally not a fan of using harsh chemical about my house but Round-up does a pretty good job at killing stuff.
  • Nancy Rhodes C Nancy Rhodes C on May 22, 2012
    Thanks KMS.
  • Judy C Judy C on May 23, 2012
    @KMS Woodworks, if you use Round Up for weeds in a flower bed will it kill the flowers too? Nice to see someone from Nederland. My husband had family there for many many yrs.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on May 23, 2012
    Judy....Round up kills everything.... I've been here for near 20 years ( Sept will be my 20th ) I look about and see a lot of change in these last two decades. I'm planning a trip back to Michigan with my daughters later this summer. I have not been back to the home state in ten years...I wondering how much have changed back there too.
  • Judy C Judy C on May 23, 2012
    Thanks for the info on Round Up. The relatives had a "100 year" ranch & the last cousin died about 10 yrs ago so I don't get back much at all but sure loved it when I did.