Almost every concrete driveway cracks somewhere. Concrete shrinks as it cures, and the ground under Fort Worth driveways moves with the weather. The question is what kind of crack you have. Call (817) 207-5579 and we will come look, or read on to sort out the hairline ones from the ones that matter.
Reading the cracks
Hairline cracks
Thin cracks that do not catch a fingernail are usually shrinkage. They are cosmetic. Seal them if water is getting in, and otherwise leave them alone.
Wide cracks that stay flat
A crack wider than about an eighth of an inch with both sides at the same height means the slab moved, but the base is still holding. Routing and sealing keeps water out of the base so it stays that way.
Cracks with one side higher
When one side of a crack sits up or down from the other, the ground under the slab has moved. Someone will catch a toe or a mower wheel on it. That section usually needs to come out and get poured again.
Spiderweb cracks in one area
A web of cracks in one spot means the base failed there. Look for a downspout, a leaking sprinkler or a spot where heavy trucks park. Fix the water first, then replace the section.
Why Fort Worth driveways crack
- Clay soil that swells after heavy rain and shrinks back in a long dry summer
- Fill dirt along the house foundation that settles for years after the house is built
- Tree roots lifting the slab, mostly near the street
- Joints cut too far apart, so the slab picks its own crack lines
- Little or no steel, or steel that sat on the dirt instead of in the slab
- Trash trucks, delivery trucks or RVs on a 4 inch slab
The ground across town is not the same. Our Fort Worth soil guide covers the clay and the limestone.
Call for a free look. We will tell you if it needs sealing or replacing.
Seal, replace a section or start over
If the cracks are flat and few, sealing them is the cheapest fix. If one or two panels have sunk or broken up, we saw cut at the joints, pour those panels again and dowel them to the good concrete. If cracks run across most of the driveway and the pieces have moved, a new driveway is the better spend. The cost calculator gives you a range for full replacement.
Questions about Cracked Driveway in Fort Worth
- Do driveway crack fillers from the hardware store work?
- They work for a season or two on small, flat cracks. Fort Worth heat cooks most of them. A routed crack filled with a flexible sealant holds up longer.
- Will my homeowners insurance pay for a cracked driveway?
- Usually not for normal wear or settling. If a falling tree or a vehicle broke it, ask your agent. We can write up the damage for the claim.
- Can you replace only the cracked part?
- Yes, if the rest of the driveway is sound. We cut on the joint lines so the new section looks like a planned panel.
Call us, or send the form, and we will set a time to look at the job and price it in writing.