Concrete Repair & Replacement

When Your Concrete Needs Attention

Cracks, uneven surfaces, and deteriorating concrete aren't just ugly. They're safety hazards and they get worse over time. That small crack in your driveway will grow. That slightly sunken section of your walkway will sink further. The sooner you address concrete problems, the less expensive the fix will be.

The question is whether you need repair or complete replacement. Sometimes a repair is all you need and will save you money. Other times, trying to patch severely damaged concrete is just throwing money away, and replacement is the smarter choice.

At PCT Metairie Concrete, we'll give you an honest assessment of your concrete's condition. If a repair will last and save you money, we'll tell you that. If the damage is too severe and replacement is the better investment, we'll explain why. We handle both concrete repair and replacement, so we're not trying to push you toward one option or the other. We just want you to make the right decision for your property and budget. Check out our home page to see examples of our repair and replacement work.

Common Concrete Problems We Fix

Here are the most common concrete issues homeowners face in our area:

• •Cracks: Small hairline cracks may be cosmetic, but wider cracks allow water infiltration and will expand over time, especially in our freeze-thaw cycles.
• •Settling and sinking: Poor base preparation or soil erosion causes concrete to settle unevenly, creating trip hazards and drainage problems.
• •Spalling and surface deterioration: The surface layer flakes or chips away, exposing aggregate and creating a rough, ugly appearance.
• •Heaving: Tree roots or frost heaving pushes sections of concrete upward, creating uneven surfaces and drainage issues.
• •Standing water: Poor grading or settling causes water to pool on the surface instead of draining properly.
• •Staining and discoloration: Oil, rust, organic matter, or improper cleaning products can permanently stain concrete.

Concrete Repair Solutions

When the underlying structure is sound but the surface has issues, we can often repair the concrete at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Here are common repair methods we use:

Crack Filling and Sealing

For cracks less than a quarter inch wide, we clean them thoroughly and fill them with specialized concrete crack filler. This prevents water infiltration and stops the crack from spreading. For wider cracks, we may need to cut them out and patch with new concrete for a more durable repair.

Concrete Resurfacing

If your concrete is structurally sound but the surface is rough, pitted, or discolored, we can apply a concrete overlay or micro-topping. This gives you a fresh, smooth surface at a lower cost than complete replacement. We can even add color or texture to completely transform the appearance.

Slabjacking and Leveling

For sunken concrete, we can use polyurethane foam injection (also called slabjacking) to lift and level the slab. This is much less expensive than replacement and can be done in a day with minimal disruption. It works well for driveways, sidewalks, and patio slabs that have settled but aren't cracked badly.

Partial Section Replacement

Sometimes just one section of a larger concrete area is damaged. We can remove and replace that specific section, tying it into the existing concrete for a seamless repair. This is common for driveways where only the approach or a portion near the garage is damaged.

When Complete Replacement Makes More Sense

Repairs aren't always the answer. Here's when we typically recommend complete replacement instead:

• •Extensive cracking: If more than 25% of the surface is cracked or if you have multiple large cracks, the underlying issues are likely too severe for repairs to last.
• •Multiple patches: If you've already made several repairs and problems keep appearing, the slab has reached the end of its useful life.
• •Poor base or drainage: If the concrete was installed without proper base preparation or drainage, repairs will only be temporary. You need to start fresh with proper installation.
• •Thin or substandard original installation: If the concrete is too thin or was poorly installed initially, it will continue to have problems no matter how you patch it.
• •Design changes: If you want to expand the area, change the layout, or add features, complete replacement might cost only slightly more than extensive repairs.

When replacement is needed, we remove the old concrete, address the underlying issues, and install a new driveway, patio, or other surface built to last. You get the peace of mind that comes with a fresh start and a warranty on new work.

Frequently Asked Questions