Concrete Repair & Replacement

Common Concrete Problems We Fix

Concrete fails for many reasons. Some issues require simple fixes, while others need more extensive work. Understanding what caused the damage helps us recommend the right solution. We evaluate your concrete honestly and explain your options clearly so you can decide what makes sense for your situation and budget.

Cracks and Surface Damage

Cracks develop in concrete from natural shrinkage, freeze-thaw cycles, heavy loads, or ground movement. Small hairline cracks are mostly cosmetic and can be sealed to prevent water infiltration. Wider cracks that allow water penetration need more substantial repair. We clean out cracks, fill them with appropriate sealant or repair compound, and finish them to blend with surrounding concrete. For widespread cracking or spalled surfaces, overlays or resurfacing may provide better results than individual crack repairs.

Surface damage like scaling, spalling, or pitting often results from poor finishing, deicing salt exposure, or concrete that was not properly air-entrained. Minor surface issues can sometimes be ground smooth or patched. More extensive surface damage may require complete replacement to restore structural integrity and appearance. Explore our decorative concrete options if you want to upgrade appearance during replacement.

Settling and Uneven Surfaces

Concrete slabs settle when soil beneath them shifts or compresses. This creates trip hazards, drainage problems, and puts stress on the remaining concrete. We can often lift and level settled concrete using techniques like mudjacking or polyurethane foam injection. This costs less than replacement and is completed in hours rather than days. However, if settlement is severe or caused by ongoing soil problems, replacement with proper base preparation may be the better long-term solution.

In areas with expansive clay soil like many parts of Hemet, ground movement can push concrete up or pull it down as soil swells and shrinks with moisture changes. Addressing drainage and moisture control helps prevent future movement. Our driveway installation includes proper base preparation to minimize settlement risk.

Structural Failures

Sometimes concrete fails structurally due to inadequate thickness, missing reinforcement, or serious foundation issues. These problems cannot be cosmetically repaired. Structural failures require replacement with properly engineered concrete. We take time to identify and correct underlying causes so your new concrete performs correctly. This might mean improving drainage, addressing tree roots, or building a better base. Proper replacement prevents the same problems from recurring.

Our Repair Methods

We choose repair methods based on the type and severity of damage, your budget, and how long you want the repair to last. Different situations call for different approaches. Here are the main repair techniques we use for damaged concrete.

Crack Repair and Sealing

For narrow cracks less than a quarter inch wide, we clean them thoroughly and fill them with flexible polyurethane or epoxy sealant. This prevents water infiltration and keeps cracks from widening. Wider cracks may need routing out to create a reservoir for sealant, or filling with specialized concrete repair mortar. The goal is to create a watertight seal that flexes slightly with normal concrete movement. Proper crack repair prevents small problems from becoming big ones.

Concrete Leveling

When concrete has settled but remains structurally sound, leveling restores safety and appearance without replacement costs. We drill small holes through the concrete and inject material underneath to lift it back to proper height. Traditional mudjacking uses a cement-based slurry, while newer polyurethane foam injection cures faster and weighs less. Both methods work when concrete is in good condition and settlement is not active. Learn more about our concrete leveling services.

Surface Restoration and Overlays

For concrete with surface damage but solid structure underneath, thin overlays can restore appearance and add years of life. We prepare the existing surface by cleaning and roughening it for good adhesion, then apply a thin layer of polymer-modified concrete or specialized resurfacing product. This creates a fresh new surface that can be colored, textured, or stamped. Overlays work best when the existing concrete has no major cracks or structural issues.

Partial Slab Replacement

When damage is localized to one section, we can remove and replace just the bad area. This makes sense for driveways where only the apron is damaged or patios with one sunken section. We cut out the damaged concrete, prepare the base, and pour new concrete that ties into the existing slab. Matching the color and finish to blend with the original takes skill, but we have done it countless times.

Complete Replacement Services

Some concrete damage is too severe or widespread for repair to make sense. When your concrete has extensive cracking, major settling, or structural failure, replacement provides the best long-term value. You get a fresh start with properly prepared base, modern techniques, and new concrete designed to last decades.

When Replacement Makes Sense

We recommend replacement when cracks cover more than 25 percent of the surface, when multiple areas have settled or heaved significantly, when the concrete is severely spalled or crumbling, or when the existing concrete is too thin and was never built correctly. Sometimes the cost of extensive repairs approaches replacement cost, making new concrete the smarter investment.

Replacement also makes sense when you want to change dimensions, add decorative features, or improve drainage. If you are already tearing out damaged concrete, you have the opportunity to redesign the space to better suit your needs. Check out our decorative concrete options to see what is possible.

Our Replacement Process

We start by removing your old concrete and hauling it away. Then we inspect the base to identify what caused the original failure. Poor base preparation, drainage issues, or soil problems need to be fixed before pouring new concrete, or you will have the same problems again. We correct these issues and build a proper base that prevents future problems.

New concrete gets installed following current best practices with adequate thickness, proper reinforcement, and correct finishing. We ensure proper slope for drainage and cut control joints to manage cracking. Your new concrete will perform better and last longer than what it replaced because we address the root causes of the original failure.

Matching Existing Concrete

When replacing a section that connects to existing concrete, matching color and texture matters for appearance. New concrete starts out lighter than weathered concrete but will darken over time. We can add color or use specific finishing techniques to help new sections blend better with old. Perfect matching is difficult, but we get close enough that most people do not notice after a few months of weathering.

Frequently Asked Questions