Driveway repair: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What driveway repair is

Driveway repair fixes cracks, potholes, sinking sections and damaged edges on a concrete, asphalt, paver or gravel drive, and it addresses drainage so the problems do not return. The right repair depends on the surface material and on whether the damage comes from the surface or from the base under it.

Signs you need it

  • Cracks have widened, or the edges of the cracks are at different heights on either side
  • Potholes or soft spots open up, and water sits in them after rain
  • A section of the drive sinks or heaves, which can mean the base under it has moved
  • Pavers have shifted, sunk or lost their joint sand, letting weeds and water in
  • Gravel has washed into ruts, thinned in the middle or been pushed to the edges by traffic
  • Water runs across the drive toward the garage or house, and the surface is breaking down along that path

What the pro does

  • Inspect the drive and its surroundings for the cause, such as water flow, a failed base or heavy loads
  • Mark the failed areas and check the base under them, digging a test hole where the damage is deep
  • Repair cracks and potholes using the method suited to the surface, such as crack filler, cut-out patches or a bonded overlay
  • Level or lift sunken sections, reset pavers or regrade the gravel, as the surface requires
  • Improve drainage at the damaged area, such as a swale, a drain or a regraded slope toward the street
  • Clean up the work area, cure the repairs as required and advise the customer on the care of the surface

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Surface material, since concrete, asphalt, pavers and gravel each need different repair methods
  • The number and size of damaged areas, and whether they are spread across the drive or concentrated in one spot
  • Whether the base has failed and must be dug out and rebuilt, instead of just repaired at the surface
  • Drainage work needed to keep the damage from returning, such as regrading or adding a drain
  • Access to the drive, especially where the work is close to the garage, the house or a fence
  • Whether the drive needs a full resurfacing or overlay after the repairs, or repairs alone are enough

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each damaged area listed with its size and the repair method used
  • The cause identified and the fix that addresses it, such as drainage or base repair
  • Materials named, such as crack filler, asphalt patch, repair mortar, gravel or pavers
  • Drainage and grading work, listed as a separate line
  • Cure or traffic restrictions for each repair, and when the drive can be used again
  • Warranty terms for the repairs, stated in writing

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What is causing the damage, and will the repair address that cause?
  • Is the base under the damage sound, or does it need to be rebuilt?
  • Which repair method do you use for my surface, and why?
  • Will the repair match the look of the rest of the drive?
  • What will you do about the water flow so the damage does not come back?
  • How long must I keep cars off the repaired areas?
  • What is covered by the warranty on the repairs?

Red flags

  • Fills every crack or hole the same way without checking the cause
  • Says the repair will last without looking at the base or the drainage
  • Suggests a surface coat over a drive with failing sections or soft spots
  • Offers a full replacement before checking whether the damage is local
  • Skips the traffic and cure plan for the repairs

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can fill narrow cracks in concrete or asphalt, and can refill low spots in gravel, as small maintenance jobs. Call a pro for sunken sections, heaving, soft spots, damage that reaches the base, or any repair that changes the drainage of the drive. Crack fillers and sealers contain solvents, so use gloves, eye protection and good ventilation.

Licenses and permits

Whether driveway repair needs a contractor license varies by place and job size, and larger repairs, lifting work and drainage changes are commonly done under a contractor license. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before work starts, especially if the repair changes the grade or the connection to the street.

Driveway repair questions

Can a cracked driveway be fixed, or does it need replacing?

Many cracks can be repaired, but a drive with widespread cracking, heaving or a failed base usually needs more than a patch. Ask the pro to inspect the base and tell you which parts can be repaired and which need replacing.

Why do the same spots keep failing on my driveway?

Those spots usually sit on a weak base or in a path where water collects and soaks in. A repair that does not fix the base or the drainage will fail in the same place again.

Will the repair match the rest of the driveway?

A repair may be close in color and texture, but it will not look identical, especially on an older surface. Ask the pro to show similar repairs on older drives before the work starts.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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