Because most driveways are subjected to the elements on a full-time basis, they do occasionally experience cracks. Driveway cracks are most common in regions of the country that experience freeze/thaw cycles which wreak havoc on concrete and other solid ground materials. In most cases, cracks in the driveway aren't a serious problem and can be fixed with relatively simple solutions. The key is fixing a driveway crack before its condition is worsened by moisture entry, erosion of the underlying ground or subsequent freeze/thaw cycles.

If you happen to have a gravel or dirt driveway, then you don't need to worry about cracks. Potholes, bumps, and dips, however, can form quickly in gravel and dirt driveways. Water is also the main culprit that causes these problems, so regardless of your driveway's material, try to ensure that water can drain easily away from the area. Dirt and gravel are very simple materials with which to work, so the problems that arise will be simple to repair. In most cases, you will only need to add more or dirt or more gravel, but there can be a bit more to it.

Aug 11, 2016 Leah from See Jane Drill demonstrates how to repair large cracks in a concrete driveway, using Slab by Sashco. (Sponsored) If you too would like to use Slab to make a repair in concrete, head to. After the repair work is complete, it's time to apply a thin coat of resurfacing concrete over the entire driveway. Mix the resurfacer much thinner than the concrete that was used to repair cracks, making it about the consistency of pancake batter.

How To Fix Large Driveway Cracks

Be sure to read the instructions and safety precautions when using any specific products to repair cracks in your driveway. In many cases, the materials used for these repairs require special safety precautions. Depending on your chosen method of repair, the job may also require special tools or equipment. At a basic level, the materials you'll likely need to fix a crack in your driveway include:

Appropriate protective clothing
A small hammer (either a mason’s hammer or a small, hand sledge hammer)
Protective goggles and gloves
Broom
Wire brush
Mason's chisel or large flat screwdriver
Pointing trowel
Air compressor, canned air or shop vac
Water (either from a garden hose or a spray bottle filled with water)

By taking the time to repair the crack, you can help avoid more serious and costly driveway issues. In this article, we'll show you how to fix driveway cracks by reviewing the techniques used in the three most common types of driveways -- concrete, asphalt and brick pavers.

How To Fix Driveway Cracks

The primary purpose of fixing concrete cracks is to help keep moisture from working its way into the cracks. A secondary benefit of fixing concrete cracks is improving the appearance of your driveway. Considering that many homes have front-facing driveways, it is a good way to help improve your home's curb appeal. Before you begin the repair, scope out the general area and try to get a feel for what caused the crack. Concrete cracks can be caused by growing tree roots, impact damage, weight overloading, etc. The most common cause of concrete cracks is standing water, which, over time, works its way into the concrete and expands and contracts according to the temperature.

Best Driveway Crack Repair Products

Before you begin fixing the actual crack, think long and hard about how you can eliminate the cause of the problem. Preventing further damage is vital to the overall success of your repair job. The methods used to fix concrete cracks depend on the size of the actual crack.

Preparation

Regardless of size, the first step should include cleaning the crack to create clean surfaces that are ready to bond with the repair materials.
Begin by breaking off any loose pieces of concrete with a screwdriver or chisel (be cautious you don't needlessly enlarge the crack).
Once you've cleaned the crack's edges, use a firm wired brush to remove any remaining debris.
Next, remove as much loose debris from within the crack as possible. This is best done with an air compressor but if you don't have one available, you can use a shop vac or even canned air, which is commonly used to clean computer keyboards. The idea here is to clean out all of the dust and debris from within the crack.

Now that the crack has been prepared for repair, follow the steps below according to the size of the crack. Follow the specific directions that are printed on the packaging of whatever product you end up using to make your repair.

How To Seal Driveway Cracks

Fixing Small, Hairline Concrete Cracks

How To Fix Cracks In Concrete Driveway

Textured caulk, concrete sealer or pourable grout designed for repairing concrete are good ways to fix small concrete cracks.
If you're using concrete sealer or pourable grout, begin by lightly wetting the crack -- a spray bottle filled with water will work well (textured caulk is best applied to a dry crack).
With all products, completely fill the crack and use a pointing trowel to push the grout or sealer into the crack.
If you're using textured caulk, provide some overfill to account for shrinkage as the caulk dries.
If you're wearing thick rubber gloves, you can use your thumb to ensure that you're completely filling the crack.
In all cases, refer to specific product manufacturer guidelines for application instructions.