Driveway crack repair in Pittsburgh
Driveway crack repair is one of the cheapest ways to protect a concrete driveway. The crack itself rarely matters. What matters is the water getting through it, washing out the stone below and freezing in the gap all winter.
Which cracks need attention
Concrete shrinks as it cures, so almost every slab cracks somewhere. Here's how to tell the harmless ones from the rest.
- Hairline cracks: watch them, and seal if water gets in
- Cracks wider than 1/8 inch: seal them before winter
- Cracks with one side higher: the base has moved
- Cracks that grow every year: look for a water source
- Map cracking across the surface: usually a sign of a finishing or curing issue
Why rigid patches pop out
A hardware-store patch often looks fine for a season, then comes loose. Cracks open and close as temperatures swing, and a rigid filler can't move with them. We use a flexible polyurethane sealant instead. The crack is routed to a clean, even width, blown out and backed with foam rod where it's deep, so that the sealant grips the two sides only and is able to stretch.
The same goes for the joints in your driveway. If the old filler has gone hard or is missing, those lines let in as much water as a crack does. It's worth doing them at the same visit.
If the cracks keep coming back
Repeated cracking means the slab is moving, and sealant only hides that. Our guide to driveway cracking goes through the usual causes. If one section has dropped, take a look at sunken driveway repair.
How the job goes
- Check
We look at how wide the cracks are and if they moved.
- Rout
Each crack is cut to a clean, even shape.
- Clean
Dust is blown out, and the crack must be dry.
- Fill
Backer rod and flexible sealant go in.
- Tool
The filler is smoothed, so that it sheds water.
Common questions
Why is my concrete driveway cracking?
Most often it's shrinkage, settling or frost. Our driveway cracking guide shows how to tell which.
How long does concrete last before cracking?
Some small cracks can appear within a month as the slab shrinks. Well-cut joints help them stay hidden.
More driveway services
- concrete driveway installation
- concrete driveway replacement
- concrete driveway repair
- concrete driveway resurfacing
- stamped concrete driveway
- exposed aggregate concrete driveway
- driveway trench drain
- driveway drainage
- driveway apron
- concrete driveway sealing
- sunken driveway repair
- driveway extension