Almost every concrete driveway and patio in San Antonio cracks eventually. The question is which cracks matter. This guide covers flatwork such as driveways, patios, walkways and garage floors, and explains your repair options.
Why concrete cracks here
San Antonio's expansive clay soils swell when wet and shrink in drought. Concrete also shrinks as it cures and expands and contracts with temperature. Control joints are cut into slabs so cracks form along straight lines, but tree roots, poor drainage, heavy vehicles and thin base material can cause cracks elsewhere.
Cosmetic or something more?
Usually cosmetic:
- Hairline cracks that aren't growing
- Cracks along control joints
- Surface crazing or light scaling
Worth a closer look:
- Cracks wider than a coin's thickness, or getting wider
- One side of the crack higher than the other (a trip hazard)
- Sections that have sunk and hold water
- Cracks near the house that direct water toward the foundation
Foundation concerns are different. Cracks in your home's slab foundation, along with doors that stick, gaps at trim or cracks in brick, should be evaluated by a structural engineer or foundation specialist. This guide doesn't cover foundation repair.
Repair options
| Option | Good for | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Crack sealing | Narrow, stable cracks | Doesn't level offsets |
| Patching | Spalls and small broken areas | Color won't match exactly |
| Resurfacing overlay | Worn or scaled surfaces with sound slabs | Cracks can reflect through |
| Slab leveling | Sunken but intact sections | Specialist equipment |
| Section replacement | Broken, offset or badly sunken sections | New concrete looks different at first |
Driveways and the City right-of-way
The driveway approach and sidewalk near the street are usually in the City's right-of-way. Work there may need a City permit and must follow City standards. Check with the City's Development Services or Public Works before replacing an approach or sidewalk.
Slow down new cracks
- Keep gutters and downspouts discharging away from slabs
- Fix low spots where water ponds
- Seal joints and cracks so water can't reach the base
- Keep heavy trucks off thin walkways and patios
- Consider root barriers near large trees
What a good estimate includes
- Which sections will be repaired, sealed or replaced
- Demolition and disposal
- Base preparation and reinforcement for new sections
- Joint layout
- Finish and any color or sealer
- Permits, where required
Related guides
If you are planning a new patio surface, read our stamped concrete patio guide. For our services, see concrete work and patios, decks and pergolas.
Planning concrete repair in San Antonio? Book an estimate consultation with 214 Veteran Solutions, a veteran-owned general contractor, or call (210) 796-3695.