Your driveway or patio takes a beating around here because of local weather conditions. If you live anywhere from the older established neighborhoods near downtown Broken Arrow out toward the newer builds, you already know our local climate does not do concrete any favors. Between the scorching summer heatwaves and sudden winter freezes, concrete slabs undergo constant stress. Add in our notoriously expansive red clay soil that swells when it rains and shrinks into hard blocks during a dry spell, and you have got a recipe for shifting slabs and unsightly cracks.
Keeping your flatwork in good shape is important for curb appeal and for protecting your investment. C&T Concrete Supplies, LLC sees plenty of damage that could have been avoided with a little routine upkeep. Here is how you can extend the life of your concrete and spot trouble before it turns into a major expense.
What Regular Concrete Maintenance Looks Like
Concrete Maintenance does not mean spending every weekend scrubbing your driveway. Concrete Maintenance comes down to a few basic habits:
- Clear away leaves, standing water, and organic debris regularly so moisture does not trap against the surface.
- Apply a breathable, high-quality masonry sealer every couple of years to block out moisture and de-icing chemicals.
- Keep your gutters and downspouts clear, making sure roof runoff drains well away from your foundation and concrete edges.
- Seal small hairline cracks immediately using a flexible concrete caulk or specialized repair product before water creeps inside.
Warning Signs Your Concrete Needs Help
Catching problems early saves you from costly tear-outs down the road. Keep an eye out for these red flags:
Hairline cracks happen naturally as concrete cures, but if you notice cracks widening beyond a quarter-inch, or if one side of the crack starts sinking lower than the other, you have a structural shift. Spalling, which is where the top layer of the concrete flakes or pits away, is another common issue caused by moisture freezing beneath the surface during our erratic winter storms. If your back patio or front porch starts holding puddles in the middle after a typical Oklahoma thunderstorm, the sub-base has likely washed out or settled unevenly.
When to Call a Professional
Some minor surface patching can definitely be a weekend project. But you will want to bring in a pro when the issues go deeper than the surface. If an entire slab has sunken or tilted, creating a tripping hazard on your walkway, standard patching will not fix the void underneath. You need professional mudjacking or polyurethane foam leveling to lift the slab back into place. Extensive cracking, severe sinking near your home foundation, or crumbling concrete that lacks structural integrity means it is time to call in specialists who have the right equipment and local know-how to make it right.