A homeowner in Sidney, OH, was struggling with a driveway full of wide cracks that not only hurt the curb appeal but also let water seep beneath the slabs. In an attempt to fix it, they previously used a urethane-based sealant from a big box store. Unfortunately, that product didn’t hold up. Urethane is not very elastic, so it tears when concrete naturally expands and contracts with the seasons. It’s also vulnerable to UV rays, which causes it to shrink, crack, and peel away after only a short time.
Solution
Our crew sealed the driveway cracks with NexusPro, a silicone-based sealant engineered for long-term performance. Unlike urethane, NexusPro flexes with seasonal movement, resists UV damage, and is designed to last more than twice as long as traditional urethane-based sealants. Even better, it is engineered to last 20+ years, giving homeowners long-lasting protection without the cycle of frequent re-sealing. To finish the job, we applied colored sand that bonds to the sealant, blending the repairs with the existing concrete. We offer a variety of sand colors so each project can be matched for the best possible look.
By sealing the cracks properly with NexusPro, water is now kept from infiltrating beneath the driveway slabs, preventing erosion and future settlement. The result is a driveway that looks clean, stays protected, and will last far longer than quick fixes from the hardware store. Be sure to check out the attached photos to learn more about this project.
This photo taken upon the initial inspection shows the various cracks spanning the driveway. The homeowner tried to seal it themselves with a big box store - urethane based sealant, which failed in less than 2 years.
This photo, also taken upon the initial inspection shows the depth of some of the cracks. The bix box store sealant couldn't stretch to keep up with the freeze-thaw cycles, and was melted away by UV rays. The harsh weather cycles of Northern Ohio put this sealant through the ringer.
You may notice the concrete flaking and pitting. If you are looking to prevent this from happening to your concrete, we would recommend our SealantPro. SealantPro is a one-time surface area sealer that bonds permanently to the concrete instead of forming a surface film, unlike other alternatives. It penetrates deep into the pores to protect against water and chemicals, maintains a clear, non-yellowing finish, and provides long-lasting, durable protection for the entire slab. Be sure to check it out if you want your concrete to last as long as possible.
This photo was taken after we sealed the driveway cracks with our SealantPro. We used a matching color sand to blend the sealant into the existing color of the concrete. We had to use more sand than normal to erase the mismatching color of the old sealant, but it was well worth it.
This photo shows the sidewalk that connects the driveway to the front porch. We injected Polylevel foam into the slabs to raise and level the sidewalk back out. PolyLevel foam is a lightweight, fast-curing polyurethane material that is injected beneath concrete slabs to lift and level uneven surfaces. It expands to fill voids, stabilizes the soil, and prevents future settling, making it an ideal solution for driveways, patios, sidewalks, and other sunken concrete areas. Check out the next photo to see this section lifted and sealed.
After we leveled the sidewalk out with PolyLevel, we then used our NexusPro sealant again to seal the control joints and the space between the sidewalk and the front porch slab. If you have sunken concrete, our PolyLevel foam jacking method is a great alternative to concrete replacement or mudjacking.
