Concrete Repair: Cracks, Spalling and Failed Slabs
Some concrete damage is cosmetic and some means the slab is finished. Telling the difference saves people either an unnecessary replacement or a repair that fails within a year, and it is the most useful thing a contractor can do on a repair call.
What is worth repairing
Surface spalling and scaling, where the top layer has flaked away but the slab underneath is solid. This is common on driveways that met rock salt in their first winter, and resurfacing products bond well when the substrate is sound.
Isolated cracks that have not moved out of alignment. These can be cleaned, filled and sealed to keep water out.
Settled but intact slabs. If the concrete itself is fine and it has simply sunk, lifting it back to grade is far cheaper than replacing it.
Damaged edges and corners on steps and walkways, which can be rebuilt and refinished.
What is not worth repairing
Slabs broken into multiple pieces that move independently. Once sections rock against each other under load, no surface repair holds.
Widespread deep cracking with vertical displacement, which indicates base failure rather than a concrete problem.
Concrete that is crumbling through its full depth, usually from a poor original mix or long term salt exposure. There is nothing sound left to bond to.
In those cases we will say the slab needs replacing rather than sell a repair that we know will fail.
Other concrete we handle
Concrete Driveways
Poured concrete driveways with proper thickness, reinforcement and control joints.
Concrete Driveways detailsConcrete Patios
Patios poured with the pitch, base and joint layout that keep them flat and dry.
Concrete Patios detailsStamped Concrete
Stamped patterns, integral color and exposed aggregate finishes, sealed to hold up outdoors.
Stamped Concrete detailsSteps & Stoops
Front steps and stoops rebuilt level, safe and matched to the house.
Steps & Stoops detailsConcrete Leveling
Lifting settled slabs back to grade when the concrete itself is still sound.
Concrete Leveling detailsSidewalks & Walkways
Public sidewalk replacement and private walkways, including township permit work.
Sidewalks & Walkways detailsTowns we cover for concrete repair
Concrete Repair questions
Is it cheaper to level concrete or replace it?
Leveling costs substantially less than replacement, often less than half, and it is finished the same day.
It only applies when the concrete itself is sound and has simply settled. A slab that has broken up cannot be lifted back into a single surface, and replacement is the only real option.
Why is the surface of my concrete flaking off?
That is spalling or scaling, and the usual causes are de-icing salt, a concrete mix without adequate air entrainment, or too much water worked into the surface during finishing.
If the slab beneath is still solid, a bonded overlay can restore the surface. If flaking has progressed deep into the slab, replacement is the durable answer.
Can cracks in concrete be repaired invisibly?
Honestly, no. A repaired crack can be made structurally sound and sealed against water, and it can be made much less noticeable, but colour and texture never match perfectly against weathered concrete.
Where appearance is the priority, resurfacing the whole slab gives a uniform result. Anyone promising an invisible crack repair on an existing exterior slab is overselling.
Get a free estimate
Send a few photos of the driveway, patio or drainage problem and we will come back with a real number, not a range.
- Most estimates come back within one business day.
- Photos usually get you a real number without a site visit.
- If you need less work than you asked about, we will say so.
Prefer to talk? (610) 646-1187