What Causes a Driveway to Sink

What Causes a Driveway to Sink

Our driveways is the first impression someone gets of our home.  If the driveway is sunken, it can be a stain on a well designed and well kept home.  It probably has you wondering why it sank or settled in the first place.  There are a number of reasons.

The Foundation

The way in which the driveway was poured can be the problem for sunken concrete.  Improperly packed foundations underneath the driveway can cause this problem.  If an inadequate layer of packing stone was placed prior to pouring the concrete, this can cause concrete to sink and settle becoming uneven.  In order to ensure this doesn't occur packing stone should be at least two inches.

Crack That Was Not Repaired

Cracks in your driveway need to be repaired.  Leaving them can allow water to enter into the crack and damage the ground underneath, eroding it resulting in a compromised foundation.  This can even lead to a sink hole that allows the concrete to sink and become uneven.  

A Busted Pipe

Waterlines underneath the driveway can crack or break which will create water erosion and potentially a sink hole.  This once again cause driveways to sink and become uneven.

Sinking that Happens Quickly

If a driveway sinks within the first five years of ownership this is often the result of poor workmanship.  The most common reason for this is because the builder did not do the foundation properly or the result of leaving stumps from trees that were removed underneath the driveway.  The decay of these tree stumps can lead to a sinking driveway.

How Can We Help?

We can lift and level your concrete driveway using polyurethane foam.  Our process to do so takes a matter of hours and not days.  Contact us for a free estimate.