How to Fix a Driveway That Has Heaved

Heaves can cause deep cracks in concrete.

Frost heaves can create deep, unsightly cracks in a driveway. Left unrepaired, these cracks spread and leave the pavement vulnerable to water damage. Fixing a heaved driveway is not complicated. Do-it-yourselfers can repair most damage with basic materials and a day of labor. If you notice deep cracks running through the entire slab, have a professional evaluate the driveway for major structural problems.

Things You'll Need

• Cold chisel
• Hammer
• Wire brush
• Measuring stick
• Sand
• Reinforced vinyl patch compound
• Putty knife
• Flat trowel
• Sealer
• Rolling brush

Instructions

1. Chip off loose pavement by placing the point of a cold chisel on the edge of a crack and tapping the other end with a hammer. Work down both sides of the crack, pointing the chisel to widen the base of the crack, and remove debris with a wire brush.

2. Flush the cracks with water to clean out any remaining dirt and debris.

3. Measure the depth of the cracks with a measuring stick. Fill any cracks deeper than one-half inch with sand until the crack is half full.

4. Fill in the remaining hole and any shallow cracks with reinforced vinyl patch compound. Spread it over the gap with a putty knife and tamp it down. Continue to add the compound until it is overfilled.

5. Use a flat trowel to spread the excess compound over surrounding pavement.

6. Blend the patches in with the rest of the pavement with tinted sealer. Paint it on with a rolling brush and plan to re-apply the sealer every few years.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don’t need to seal your driveway, use a patch compound that matches the color of your existing driveway instead.

• A severely heaved driveway can occasionally become permanently buckled or sink below the original grade. This indicates a problem with the driveway's base course, and will require complete removal and reinstallation by a paving professional.

• Repair cracks on a dry day when temperatures are over 50 degrees Fahrenheit so the material sets correctly.

References

• Concrete Network: Repairing Cracks in Concrete

Resources

• American Concrete and Pavement Association: Frost Action and Frost Heave