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Expert: - 6/9/2008


Question
We live in central Ohio and have a concrete driveway that is about 35 years old.   

Over the past couple winters, it has started to deteriorate more rapidly and now has several areas (the size of a man's foot or hand) where the concrete has crumbled away. There are also some thin cracks a couple feet long.  Is there anything I can do to save the driveway and make it look good? Thanks, Laure  

Answer
Dear Laure,

Unfortunately, you live in an area that has extreme temperature changes - cold, freezing, thawing, heat!  That kind of weather takes its toll on concrete.  It sounds as though your driveway as endured rather well considering its age.

The constant seasonal changes has caused the weakest areas to crumble and, although this is common, can be unsightly.

You could try patching the areas after applying a liberal coat of bonding agent - but instead of spawled spots with exposed aggregate, you would have spots of a different color!  

Your only true solution is to replace the driveway.  You could cut it into sections and only replace where the spawling has occurred.  Then when it continues to happen on the old concrete, in a couple of years replace another section.  Have your contractor saw cut (in a straight line) from one edge to the other and remove that entire piece.

Another solution, it you are ready for a major improvement, is to replace the entire concrete driveway with concrete paver bricks.  These are interlocking concrete bricks or shapes that are installed on a bed of sand over a road rock base.  The joints are filled with brushed-in sand and allows water to run off immediately.  There are many paterns and shapes and colors available and the cost is about $4.00 a sq. ft. - so a double drive 18 ft wide by 25 ft long will cost about $2000 including removal the old drive. (This is the price in S.E. Florida.)  

I'm sorry I couldn't give you a quick fix - but concrete doesn't have any easy solutions.

Roger

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Roger Zona

Expertise

I am experienced in all types of construction: residential, industrial and commercial; single family, multi-family, mid-rise and high rise buildings (16 story office building) as well as remodeling, additions and tenant improvements. I can field most any question that relates to general construction. I have consulted with infrastructure (utility) contractors also and have a good general knowledge of underground utility construction for subdivisions and commercial projects.

Experience

After college, I began my career in the construction industry. I chose to become an apprentice Architect and 4 yrs later I opened my own architectural design firm. Six years later I moved to Florida to buy & develop land and build. I became a State of Florida Certified General Contractor and operated my business for 45 years. I built all types of residential and commercial buildings including warehouses, shopping centers, high rise apartments and office buildings and developed sites for other contractors. I retired and became a consultant to the construction industry. I maintain my license and continuing education requirements, operate a small construction company and write a weekly newspaper column for the Palm Beach Post (a Cox publication) with the byline "Ask The Contractor". I am the "technical editor" for a publisher of books that relate to home maintenance.

Organizations
Previously - NAHA Currently - FLCA (Florida Licensed Contractors Assoc.)

Publications
Palm Beach Post newspaper - weekly Q & A column Happy Herald monthly real estate publication - monthly column

Education/Credentials
Michigan State University University of Detroit BS in Engineering

Past/Present Clients
I built a home in Palm Beach for a member of the Pulitzer Family. I was responsible for the completion of a twin hi-rise condominium project for G.E. Credit. I was a partner in the successful development of a P.U.D. (Planned Urban Development) subdivision. I represented the largest home builder from France (Bati Service, S.A.) in the development of a subdivision and the design and construction of the homes.

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