Concrete Repair in Pembroke Pines, FL

Concrete Repair makes sense for a lot of the driveways, walks and patios in Pembroke Pines that were poured in the 1980s and 1990s. A crack does not automatically mean replacement. Many slabs have years left if the problem is caught early and its cause is fixed. We tell you which repair fits, what it costs and how long it is likely to last.

Common problems on older slabs

• Cracks across driveways and walkways
• Sunken sections near downspouts, pool decks and slab edges
• Raised slabs and trip hazards from tree roots
• Surface flaking, worn broom texture and exposed stone
• Failed joints letting water and weeds into the slab
• Rust stains from reinforcement too close to the surface

Why concrete fails here

Water is behind most of it. Close to 62 inches of rain a year, flat ground and roof runoff can wash fine soil out from under a slab, leaving a void that lets the concrete sink. HomeGuide names soil erosion, poor compaction and moisture as the usual causes of those voids. Big shade trees push roots under walks and driveways. Sun and heat dry the surface and open small cracks, and water gets into them. Fixing the slab without fixing the water often means doing it twice.

Crack repair

Narrow and hairline cracks get routed or cleaned, then packed with a flexible filler that keeps water out and slows the damage. HomeGuide lists crack filling at about $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. The same guide says cracks wider than 1/4 inch can point to foundation problems, and in that case we want to know why before we fill anything.

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Leveling sunken slabs

When a section has sunk but is otherwise in one piece, it can often be raised back into place. Mudjacking pumps a cement slurry under the slab, and polyjacking uses expanding foam. HomeGuide puts mudjacking at $4 to $9 per square foot and polyjacking at $8 to $25. Leveling only lasts if the drainage that caused the settling is corrected, so we look at gutters, downspouts and grading at the same time.

Resurfacing worn concrete

If a slab is structurally sound but the surface is rough, flaking or stained, a resurfacing overlay gives it a new face. HomeGuide lists basic overlays at $3 to $7 per square foot and a two-car driveway at about $1,200 to $2,900, with a lifespan of 8 to 15 years. An overlay will not fix a slab that is moving or broken; it will crack right along with it.

When to replace a section

A panel that is broken in several pieces, badly out of level or crumbling is usually better cut out and repoured. We saw-cut along existing joints where possible so the new section fits in cleanly. New concrete will look lighter than the old at first; it blends in somewhat as it weathers.