Your concrete driveway is an important part of the exterior of your home. Not only does the driveway affect the appearance of your home, but it also greatly impacts the home’s value and safety. When driveways start to crack, it’s important to have those cracks repaired with the help of driveway caulking services. Here are a few reasons why concrete driveways crack.

Moisture

The most common reason why driveways crack is due to moisture. Moisture can get into tiny micro-cracks or pores in the concrete. When the moisture freezes during very cold temps, the moisture expands. This expansion will cause the concrete to crack. When the ice melts again, the concrete is left with cracks that only grow wider over time. According to the Portland Cement Association, when water freezes in concrete, it still expands by about 9%, stressing the pores of the concrete. This eventually leads to cracks.

Pressure

The grade of your driveway is designed to take on a certain amount of weight. Driveways that are used for residential use will not have the same weight designs as parking pads or driveways intended for large vehicles or equipment. If your residential driveway is exposed to extreme weight and pressure, it could result in cracks and damage.

Soil Movement

Soil will naturally move over time. When you have your driveway installed, the soil should be properly compacted down to reduce the amount of movement. A properly installed driveway should not see much soil movement for the lifespan of the driveway. However, if the soil wasn’t compacted properly before the driveway was installed, you may start to see soil movement too soon. This can result in cracks in the driveway before the lifespan of the driveway is up. Working with a professional driveway company can help with these issues.

Erosion

Erosion can also cause damage to your driveway over time. Erosion happens when water gets under the driveway and starts to move the soil from its space. Erosion can be very damaging to your property. Without that soil, there's nothing supporting the concrete.

It's important to know what causes cracks in your driveway so you can prevent cracks when possible. If your driveway is already damaged and you're looking for professional driveway caulking services, please contact C N C Caulking & Sealing today.