If you have a deed showing legal ownership of a driveway and only you have use of it, you can protect against other users interfering by installing a gate. Otherwise, you can invoke prescriptive rights gained through continuously exercising the use of the access without another owner’s permission or consent. Standing water may seem like a small problem, but it can lead to accelerated pavement degradation and cause costly repairs. Drainage systems should be installed properly to stop this.

Cracks

Cracks can be unsightly and a safety hazard for pedestrians. They can also be a sign of serious issues with your concrete driveway. If the gaps are narrow and don’t show any signs of heaving or sinking, they may be cosmetic and not indicative of serious structural damage. Sand may be washed away by wind and rain, and these weather elements can also severely damage surfaces that are difficult to fix. The foundation is undermined when the dirt is washed away, seriously threatening public safety. However, commercial paving Ottawa protects the surfaces and therefore offers defense. Properly constructing the driveway is the best way to avoid cracks. It includes excavating to the correct depth, properly compacting the soil, and pouring the concrete at its superior strength. Proper drainage is also key to avoiding cracks in concrete surfaces. It means keeping gutters clear and directing downspouts away from the driveway and sidewalks. Eliminating clogged drains and routing water away from your driveway will prevent seepage that can cause cracking.

Sinking

Sinking concrete can become more than an eyesore, a major safety hazard for anyone walking on or driving over it. If you have a sunken concrete driveway, walkway or patio, it is important to have the issue fixed as quickly as possible. Sinking can be caused by a variety of factors. When a driveway is built, the soil underneath must be properly prepared to ensure it doesn’t fall later. If the ground is not compacted and filled properly, it will shift and sink over time. It can also sink due to heavy vehicles constantly being parked on one area of the concrete or because of soil erosion.

It is also important to have proper drainage on your property. Water that pools in the driveway or near it can cause problems, including structural damage, icy patches during winter and mold. It is recommended that gutter downspouts are directed a minimum of 10 feet away from your home.

Weeds

Weeds growing through gravel driveway or sidewalk cracks are unsightly and difficult to remove permanently. Certain weeds like crabgrass and quackgrass sprout readily from seeds carried on the wind and can enter through the smallest cracks. There are various techniques to remove these troublesome plants from a sidewalk. The best approach to eliminate any weeds and stop them from returning is to use a glyphosate-based weed killer. Another method is to pour full-strength white vinegar or a commercial product containing acetic acid on the problem areas of your walkway. Over a few days, this will eliminate any weeds growing in your walkway. If you want a more long-lasting fix, a concrete crack filler is available at hardware and home improvement stores. Some choices come in squeeze bottles with applicator tips that make it easy to apply them in the same manner as caulk.

Uneven Concrete

Uneven concrete is not only an eyesore but also a trip hazard. If you notice that sections of your concrete driveway or sidewalk are sinking or heaving, it’s important to take action before they worsen. There are several reasons why concrete becomes uneven over time. It could be due to climate changes, soil erosion, or seismic activity. Rough concrete can also occur if the original construction of your driveway or sidewalk could have been done better. One option for fixing uneven concrete is to pour new concrete. However, this is a messy and time-consuming process. If you choose to do this, hiring experienced concrete contractors can ensure the proper mix is used and that your new concrete will be strong enough to withstand heavy vehicles and traffic is important.