Concrete Repair & Replacement

When to Repair Your Concrete and When to Replace It

That crack in your driveway has been getting bigger every year. Your patio has a section that settled and now puddles form when it rains. The walkway to your front door looks worn and stained. You know you need to do something, but should you repair what is there or start over?

The decision comes down to the extent and type of damage. Small hairline cracks, minor surface spalling, and isolated problem areas often make sense to repair. Major structural cracks, extensive settling, large sections of deteriorated concrete, or surfaces more than 30 years old usually benefit from complete replacement.

Here is a simple way to think about it. If less than 25 percent of your concrete surface has problems and the rest is sound, repair is probably your best option. If more than half the surface shows issues, or if you are dealing with major structural problems, replacement gives you better long-term value.

We come to your property, assess the actual condition of your concrete, and give you honest recommendations. Sometimes the fix is simpler than you think. Other times, trying to patch your way out of major problems just delays the inevitable and costs you more in the long run. We tell you the truth about what makes sense.

Concrete Repair Services We Provide

When repair makes sense, we offer several solutions depending on what your concrete needs:

• Crack filling and sealing: We clean out cracks, fill them with appropriate materials, and seal them to prevent water infiltration and further damage.
• Surface leveling: We use mudjacking or polyurethane foam injection to lift settled concrete sections back to their original position.
• Spalling repair: We remove damaged surface concrete and apply bonding agents and repair mortars that match the existing surface.
• Joint repair: We rebuild deteriorated expansion joints and control joints to restore proper function and appearance.
• Corner and edge repairs: We reconstruct broken corners and crumbling edges that often occur on driveways and steps.
• Surface resurfacing: We apply thin overlay systems that give worn concrete a fresh new appearance and add years of life.

Each repair technique has specific applications where it works best. We match the repair method to your particular problem. The goal is a repair that lasts and looks good, not just a temporary patch that fails in a year.

Complete Concrete Replacement

When replacement is the right answer, we handle the entire process from demolition to final finishing. We remove your old concrete, haul it away, prepare the site properly, and install new concrete built to last.

Replacement gives you several advantages. You start with a clean slate and proper base preparation. You can upgrade to better designs or finishes like stamped decorative concrete. You know exactly what you are getting instead of wondering about hidden issues under repairs.

We replace all types of concrete surfaces including driveways, patios, walkways, steps, and garage floors. Each project gets the same attention to proper preparation and installation that we bring to new construction work.

Common Concrete Problems We Fix

Here in Medford, MA, we see the same concrete issues repeatedly. Understanding what causes problems helps you make better decisions about repair versus replacement:

Settling and sinking: Often caused by poor initial base preparation or soil washout. This creates trip hazards and drainage problems. Mudjacking can sometimes fix this, but severe settling usually requires replacement.

Freeze-thaw cracking: Water gets into small cracks, freezes, expands, and makes the cracks bigger. This cycle repeats every winter. Sealing small cracks early prevents this damage from progressing.

Surface scaling: The top layer of concrete flakes off, usually from using salt or low-quality concrete. Resurfacing or complete replacement fixes this depending on severity.

Structural cracking: Large cracks that go through the full thickness indicate foundation issues or inadequate reinforcement. These typically require replacement.

Worn surfaces: Heavy traffic and time eventually wear down concrete surfaces. This affects appearance more than function, making resurfacing a good option in many cases.

Preventing Future Concrete Problems

Whether we repair or replace your concrete, you want it to last. Here are the key factors that prevent future problems:

• Proper drainage to keep water away from concrete edges and bases
• Regular sealing to prevent water penetration and surface damage
• Addressing small issues quickly before they become major problems
• Using appropriate ice melt products instead of rock salt
• Avoiding metal shovels and snowplow blades that damage surfaces
• Keeping expansion joints clean and functional

When we do replacement work, we correct the underlying issues that caused problems in the first place. Better base preparation, improved drainage, and proper reinforcement ensure your new concrete performs better than what it replaced.