How To Repair Cracks in a Concrete Driveway (7 Steps)

Cracks in concrete driveways range from surface-level crazing to deep crevices extending through the slab. Unruly tree roots, rapid freeze-thaw cycles, and even the wet concrete mix drying too fast can all cause cracks to appear. And once that happens, you have to fix the damage, or it will get worse.

Although a skilled contractor can perform the repairs, I’ve found that fixing cracked concrete is a beginner-friendly DIY project. Your efforts will help boost your home’s curb appeal and increase the life span of your driveway, so it’s very rewarding, too. See if you’re comfortable performing the repairs with help from this step-by-step guide on how to repair cracks in concrete driveways.

Repair Your Driveway in 7 Steps

For minor cracks, you typically need only to apply a little resurfacing compound, but deeper cracks require a little more work. You’ll need to seal the fissures with filler to stop them from spreading and restore your driveway’s appearance.

In either case, though, you may be able to do the work yourself. Here’s how to complete this DIY repair project.

Tools and Materials

• One-part polyurethane sealant
• Caulk gun
• Quick-setting concrete mix, like Quikrete
• Oscillating multi-tool with grinding wheel
• Wire brush or shop vacuum
• Pointing trowel
• Spray bottle filled with water
• Nitrile disposable gloves

Steps

1. Clean the driveway to remove any loose debris, dirt, oil, or stains. Allow the driveway to dry if you spray it with cleaning products and water.
2. Use an oscillating multi-tool fitted with a grinding wheel to widen and deepen the crack if it’s too narrow or shallow for filling.
3. Remove dust and particles using a wire brush or a shop vacuum. You can also blow it out using your air compressor or leaf blower.
4. Put the one-part polyurethane sealant in the caulking gun and fill the entire length of the gap with sealant. Firmly push the tip of the sealant tube against the driveway as you pull the trigger to get the material deep into the damaged area.
5. Spread the excess sealant flush with the driveway surface using a pointing trowel. Make sure to smooth it out evenly along both sides of the crack.
6. While wearing gloves, sprinkle dry Quikrete over the sealant to help the repair blend into your driveway surface.
7. Spray the concrete mix with water to activate it, and pat it down against the sealant with your gloved hands. Repeat with more dry mixture and water if there are any bare areas.

What Are the Benefits of Repairing Cracks in Your Driveway?

Repairing cracks in your driveway is a worthwhile project, even if the sight of them doesn’t bother you in the slightest. These are just some of the benefits you’ll enjoy after fixing the damage.

Boost Curb Appeal

Your home’s curb appeal largely depends on the condition of your driveway. A smooth, damage-free surface makes a great first impression, allowing you to easily attract interested buyers if you ever sell your home. Homebuyers are even willing to pay up to 7% more for properties that wow them at first glance.

Improve Driveway Safety

A well-maintained driveway keeps the surface safe for you and your visitors to walk on and drive over. If small cracks don’t get repaired, they can quickly turn into tripping hazards, resulting in twisted ankles or even dangerous falls. The damaged surface can also pose a risk to your vehicle’s tires and wheel alignment if you hit the bumps too hard.

Prevent Further Damage

Repairing your driveway at the first sign of damage keeps minor cracks from turning into huge voids. Without repairs, the additional damage happens quickly as the water gets into the gap and freezes or erodes the underlying materials. Water also carries chemicals and road salts that can rapidly deteriorate the concrete structure.

Increase the Lifespan of Your Driveway

A concrete driveway can last up to 50 years with proper care — and that includes repairing cracks when you see them. If fissures expand past ¼” wide, you could be looking at a full replacement, costing $4,800 to $9,000 on average. So, performing the repairs right away could save you a lot of money in the long run.

How to Assess the Severity of Cracks in Your Driveway

Before completing any repairs, assess the severity of the cracks in your driveway. The damage typically ranges from hairline to deep cracks and is not limited to only one area. Multiple crevices can appear at any given time. As existing concrete cracks meet, they tend to widen, which complicates the repair process.

To assess the driveway damage severity, take a look at the following categories and match them to what you’re seeing at your home.

Hairline

A hairline crack appears as a fine line of up to an ⅛” wide right on the surface of your driveway. When the fine lines first develop, they’re superficial and primarily affect how the surface looks. They only appear one at a time, unlike crazing, which creates a large web of fine lines.

Since the damage is only surface level, you can apply an elastomeric concrete filler to keep water out. For the full repair, you must widen the gap with a grinder and fill it with a one-part polyurethane sealant.

DIY repairs will cost you $20 or less in materials for either method. A concrete repair professional charges up to $1 per linear foot for labor plus the cost of materials. You may also have to pay a service call fee, which typically ranges from $75 to $125. At that price, a 10-foot hairline crack may cost around $155 to have professionally repaired.

Minor Crack

A minor crack is wider than a hairline crack but doesn’t exceed ¼” wide. The minor damage goes deeper into the surface, although it’s uncommon for it to go all the way through. There might also be signs of widening at certain points as unstable pieces break away around the edges.

For a lasting repair, minor crevices need to be widened and filled with a one-part polyurethane sealant. You can complete this DIY home improvement project for around $30 if you already have the tools. If you’d like to hire a professional, they may charge $1 to $2 per linear foot plus material costs. A service call fee of $75 to $125 may apply. At that rate, you’ll pay up to $175 to have a 10-foot minor crack fixed.

Major Crack

A major crack is anything wider than ¼”. At this stage, the damage often extends through the entire depth of the concrete slab. You might also notice jagged areas where chunks broke off, leaving even wider gaps.

You can fill severely damaged areas with a one-part polyurethane sealant and a backer rod, but don’t expect it to last. Wide fissures point to an underlying problem that will cause even more concrete driveway cracks to appear.

If you want to complete the temporary repairs, expect to pay up to $50 for materials. Hiring a professional will cost you $3 or more per linear foot plus the cost of materials. Your repair expert may also apply a service call fee of $75 to $125. Professional repairs will run you $205 or more for a 10-foot major crack.

How to Choose the Right Repair Material

Although one-part polyurethane sealant is the gold standard for driveway repair, you have other options to consider, such as:

Concrete Patch

Concrete patch is a pre-mixed compound made from Portland cement, sand, and a polymer-based bonding agent. It’s best for hairline cracks, but it can work for minor damage with a depth of 1” or less.

To apply this patching compound, you have to:

1. Use a wire brush and shop vacuum to clean the crack and the surrounding area.
2. Rough up the edges of the gap and about 2” between its borders on each side.
3. Lightly dampen the work area with clean water.
4. Stir the patch material until it’s smooth, and then use a putty knife to push it into the crack.
5. Only fill a ¼” at a time to ensure good adhesion. Repeat steps one through three until it’s level with the surface.

The easy application process and 180-minute set time provide fast results. On the downside, the patch material dries smoothly and lightens to a pale gray shade, making it stand out against most concrete driveway surfaces.

Read our detailed concrete driveway repair cost guide to learn about pricing for professional driveway repair.

Vinyl Concrete Patch

Vinyl concrete patch is a versatile repair material made from Portland cement, sand and an exterior grade vinyl resin. You’ll find it works best for minor voids between ⅛” and ¼” wide.

To apply this patch material:

1. Remove dust and debris using a trowel and shop vacuum.
2. Use a concrete and asphalt cleaner to scrub the area and rinse with water.
3. Mix according to the package directions. The ratio is typically 10 ounces of water to 5 pounds of vinyl patch.
4. Firmly press the prepared vinyl patch material into the crack using a trowel. Only apply a ¼” layer at a time.
5. Let the patch material dry for two hours, and then repeat the application as needed to fill the gap.
6. Cover the patch with polyethylene film for 24 hours if it’s hot, windy, or dry.

You’ll need to avoid walking on the surface for the first 24 hours and keep your vehicles off the driveway for three days. The material dries to a light gray that comes close to matching many driveway surfaces.

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is a type of resin that expands to fill the cracks. Many people use it for foundation crack repair, but it can also fill hairlines and minor and major gaps in driveways.

The foam comes in DIY-friendly kits and is easy to use. Complete this job by following these steps:

1. Use a wire brush and shop vacuum to remove loose dirt.
2. Squeeze the surface epoxy into a disposable bowl and mix thoroughly.
3. Put a bead of surface epoxy on the bottom of the supplied port.
4. Place the surface port over the gap and push down to adhere it to the surface. Repeat with the other surface ports.
5. Spread surface epoxy over the entire length of the crack and allow it to dry for about 30 minutes.
6. Connect the static mixer to the injection cartridge and tighten the lock nut.
7. Start at one end and inject the polyurethane foam into the surface ports one at a time.
8. Remove the surface ports and epoxy using a putty knife or trowel.

This repair only takes about an hour and takes about 48 hours to cure. The foam can seep out of the crevice as it expands and stains the surrounding area. With time, the material will wear away and become much less noticeable.

Epoxy Injection

Epoxy injection crack repair fills and bonds the damaged area with epoxy resin. The epoxy flows into all the nooks and crannies to create a water-tight seal. Like polyurethane foam, this repair method is used most often for foundation repairs. It’s only effective in filling hairline and minor damage.

If you’d like to use epoxy resin to fix your driveway, follow these steps:

1. Use a wire brush to clean out all the dust and debris, and then vacuum it all up.
2. If the crack is too narrow for the injection ports, drill ⅜” holes every couple of feet along its entire length.
3. Cover the crack with clear duct tape or epoxy adhesive to create a tight seal.
4. Put the injection nozzle on the tube of epoxy and poke the nozzle into the first hole at either end of the damaged area. 
5. Slowly inject epoxy into the hole until it’s full, and then move to the next one and do the same thing. You may need to go back and forth between the holes to fill the entire crevice with epoxy.
6. Repeat step five all the way down the line until you cannot push any more epoxy into the damaged area.
7. Let the epoxy sit for 10 minutes, and pull the tape off. Clean up the edges with a grinder if you’d like to blend it in better.

Epoxy dries and cures super fast, so you must work quickly to keep the fluid flowing. If you cannot work fast enough, drill additional holes to access areas blocked by dried epoxy.

How to Seal and Protect the Driveway After Repair

Sealing your driveway helps your repairs last and protects the rest of the driveway from damage. The sealant provides extra protection against water penetration, preventing cracking from freeze-thaw cycles.

To get the best results, you must use the correct sealant for your concrete type, local climate, and desired finish. Sealers also vary in their durability and ideal reapplication intervals. See the table below for help picking the best sealer for your driveway.

Concrete Sealer Types, Uses, and Finishes

Once you select a sealant product, you’re ready to apply it to the driveway surface. You should always follow the manufacturer’s application directions, but you’ll undoubtedly move through these steps:

1. Use a pressure washer and degreasing agent to thoroughly clean the entire surface of your driveway. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
2. Mentally divide the driveway into sections that will allow you to work from one end to the other. Plan your route carefully so you don’t have to walk back over the completed surfaces.
3. Apply the sealer to the driveway surface using a roller, sprayer, or brush. Do not spray too much, or it will puddle and look uneven.
4. Allow the sealer to fully dry for anywhere from one hour to a week, depending on the type of sealer you use.
5. Apply additional coats if needed to get your desired level of protection and finish.

After allowing the sealant to cure, you’re able to use your driveway like usual. To help the sealer last, clean your driveway regularly and keep traffic to a minimum.

Learn More About Concrete Maintenance

So, Is Fixing Your Cracked Driveway Worth It?

Fixing your driveway is definitely worth the time and money it takes. Whether you hire a professional or tackle the job yourself, the repairs will protect your driveway from further damage, boost curb appeal, and improve its safety. Keeping cracks at bay also extends the life of your driveway, so you can avoid having to pay for its replacement sooner than expected.