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cracked and unlevel concrete in driveway

Uneven Driveway & Sidewalk

Your sidewalk and driveway are subject to a lot of traffic and wear. Damage to your driveway and sidewalk is preventable and relatively simple to repair.

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The most used aspects of your home are your concrete driveway and sidewalk. These areas are exposed to the elements and have a high volume of traffic. They’re tough, but it’s inevitable that they’ll deteriorate over time. Get creative solutions from local concrete specialists, like Dry Pro Foundation and Crawlspace Specialists.

What Causes Uneven Driveways and Sidewalks?

soil washout and erosion

Weak, Unstable Soils

The soil is to blame for the majority of concrete problems, such as uneven driveways and sidewalks. The expansive clay and clay loam soils of North Carolina can be volatile, providing a number of issues for concrete on properties. Droughts and dry weather cause the soil to shrink and dry out. As a result, the concrete slabs above the ground lack proper support, sinking and becoming uneven. Expansive soil absorbs water, swells, and presses up on the concrete, cracking and even lifting areas of the concrete to make it uneven during heavy rain or snowmelt.

vehicle on concrete, concrete stains

Issues with Weight

Concrete is a powerful material, but it is not without its drawbacks. This is especially true in driveways with large cars that have been parked in the same spot for a long time. The weight of the vehicle could be too much for the slabs and underlying dirt to bear, leading them to sink and become uneven. Regularly driving over uneven concrete in your driveway could cause damage to your car and result in pricey maintenance and repairs. If you leave one or more vehicles parked for an extended period of time, this can be an issue.  

poor drainage and flooding around home

Problems with Drainage

If you find that particular portions of your driveway or sidewalk drain water much more slowly than other regions, or that they gather water much more easily, then this may be an indication that these areas are likely to become uneven in the near future. If your gutters are clogged or your downspouts release water on or near your driveway or sidewalk, there is a possibility that you will experience damage. If you notice water pooling around your concrete, then you likely have problems with drainage around your home’s foundation. 

FAQs

Cracked and uneven driveway and sidewalk slabs not only detract from the aesthetic appeal of your property but can also be hazardous to you and anyone that visits your home. On this uneven ground, pedestrians, especially those with mobility limitations, run the risk of tripping, falling, and harming themselves. Uneven driveways can also damage tires and cause accelerated brake wear and tear by requiring your car to work harder to overcome the uneven surface. Continuously driving over a gap between the driveway and the street or garage can cause considerable damage to the suspension. 

Mudjacking and slab jacking are common methods for fixing uneven driveways and sidewalks. However, these are antiquated procedures that are time-consuming, expensive, and intrusive. Professional injections of polyurethane foam – also known as PolyRenewal™ injections – are the most effective approach to lift your driveway and walkway. Lightweight but resilient polyurethane foam is injected beneath the sinking slabs to efficiently elevate and stabilize them. It is a more effective, less intrusive, and durable solution to tangible issues. It is also fast-acting, meaning you can walk on the concrete surface in as little as 30 minutes.  

Sometimes it seems easier to address the problem with your driveway by removing the slab entirely and installing a new one. This is sometimes the only option when the harm is irreparable. However, this is not always the case with your concrete driveway and sidewalk, and the appropriate fix can often do the trick. Additionally, the expense of rebuilding the concrete can be considerable. It depends on the size of the driveway and the underlying cause of the sinking in the first place. Unlike replacement, repairs address the underlying source of the problem and correct it. 

Call Us for A Free Inspection 

At Dry Pro, we are accustomed to hot, humid summers and cold, rainy winters. Therefore, you can have confidence in our ability to repair concrete and foundation issues in homes in the Charlotte and Hickory regions of North Carolina. Additionally, our professionals are familiar with the two most typical soil types in these regions, expansive clay and clay loam, and how they can impact concrete structures like driveways and sidewalks. Please contact us if you are experiencing issues with your concrete, such as uneven driveways and walkways. We provide free, no-obligation inspections of your entire home’s foundation and concrete, so you can be positive that an issue exists before repairs are made. 

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Our Locations

Charlotte, NC

130 Performance Dr
Belmont, NC 28012

Matthews, NC

1312 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105