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The honest assessment that helps you decide whether repair makes sense—or replacement is the smarter investment for your Charleston property.
Your driveway has seen better days. There are cracks. Maybe some sections have settled. The surface is spalling or pitting. You know something needs to be done, but you're not sure whether to repair what's there or tear it out and start fresh.
This is one of the most common questions Charleston homeowners ask, and it deserves an honest answer. Repair is sometimes the right choice—it costs less and extends the life of existing concrete. But repair can also be a waste of money if the underlying problems make failure inevitable. The key is knowing which situation you're in.
The most common mistake is thinking all cracks are equal. A hairline crack in a control joint is completely normal—it's the concrete doing exactly what it's supposed to do. A crack that runs diagonally across multiple slabs with vertical displacement is structural failure. Treating them the same leads to bad decisions.
Another error is focusing only on the surface. Spalling and pitting look terrible, but they're often cosmetic issues that can be addressed without replacement. Meanwhile, a driveway with a smooth surface but significant settling has a fundamental problem that no surface repair can fix.
Some homeowners also fall for the "patch and forget" approach—filling cracks and moving on without addressing why the cracks formed. If the base is failing or drainage is undermining the slab, patches just delay the inevitable while wasting money.
Repair is typically appropriate when damage is isolated and the underlying structure is sound:
Cracks that follow control joint lines and show no vertical displacement are normal. They can be sealed to prevent water infiltration but don't require major intervention.
If the top surface is flaking or pitting in specific spots—often from salt damage or freeze-thaw cycles—but the slab structure is intact, resurfacing or patching can restore appearance and function.
Small sections that have settled slightly can sometimes be lifted with mudjacking or foam injection, provided the concrete itself is in good condition and the underlying cause can be addressed.
Chipped or broken edges from snowplow damage, vehicle impacts, or similar causes can often be repaired without replacing the entire driveway.
Replacement makes sense when the damage is extensive or the underlying installation was fundamentally flawed:
When cracks appear across multiple sections, run in random patterns, or show significant vertical displacement, the slab structure has failed. Filling these cracks doesn't restore structural integrity.
Large areas that have sunk more than an inch, or sections that have heaved upward, indicate base failure. Leveling may provide temporary improvement, but the underlying problem typically causes continued movement.
Driveways poured too thin (less than 4 inches for residential, less than 6 inches for heavy vehicles) will continue to crack and fail regardless of repairs. The only fix is proper replacement.
When spalling, pitting, or scaling covers most of the surface—not just isolated areas—the concrete mix or curing was likely deficient. Resurfacing over bad concrete creates a new layer that will also fail.
If water pools on the driveway or drains toward your foundation, replacement with proper grading is the only way to fix the problem. No repair addresses incorrect slope.
If your Charleston-area driveway shows signs of damage and you're unsure whether repair or replacement makes sense, an honest assessment is the first step. We can evaluate your driveway's condition, identify the underlying causes, and recommend the approach that serves your property and budget long-term.
We provide both concrete driveway replacement and repair services throughout the Lowcountry. We'll tell you which option makes sense for your situation—even if that means recommending a less expensive repair over full replacement.