Sinking Driveway in the Kansas City Metro & Mid-Missouri: Should You Repair or Replace the Concrete?

Driveways in Kansas City Metro & Missouri sink as a result of rain, storms and other elements. The erosion of underlying soil leads to uneven surfaces, cracks, and other safety risks. Many homeowners in these circumstances wonder if they should replace or repair their sinking driveway.

We recommend fixing any little sunken areas and small cracks in your driveway. You should replace the concrete if your driveway is severely sunken and has damages, such as massive potholes, widespread fractures, or structural damage.



In this guide, we’ll help you determine whether your driveway concrete needs to be replaced or repaired.

WHEN TO CONSIDER REPAIRING THE CONCRETE

In most cases, repairing your driveway concrete is a reliable option. Here, we have are trying to answer the most common question regarding your concrete… Sinking Driveway: Should You Repair or Replace the Concrete?

MINOR SINKING AND DAMAGE

When your driveway has minor surface damage, you should go for repair. Minor surface damage means the surface is sunk less than 2 inches.

Less than a 2-inch sunk driveway means the underlying structure is intact. In this case, the reason for sinking may include minor soil compaction or small drainage issues.

AGE OF THE DRIVEWAY

If your driveway is not aged more than 10 to 15 years, repairing the sunken areas will restore the driveway’s functionality and appearance perfectly.

COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION

When the sinking is minor, repairing it will be cost-effective. There is no need to replace the entire concrete in a much costlier way.

FASTER FIXES

For a faster fix to your driveway with minor sinking, repair must be done. Repairing lets you use your driveway much sooner than replacement.

QUICK SOLUTIONS: MUDJACKING, POLYJACKING, AND CONCRETE RESURFACING

To repair the minor sinking of your driveway, you can utilize one of the following solutions.

1.   POLYJACKING/ FOAM JACKING

Polyjacking or foam jacking is the fastest concrete lifting method. In the polyjacking method, high-density polyurethane foam is injected under the concrete slab.

The foam fills the voids underneath the slabs. The pressure from the injected foam lifts the sunken areas to its original state. This method is the most reliable floor lifting method.

2.    MUDJACKING

Mudjacking or slab jacking is another solution for lifting your driveways’ minor sunk areas. In this process, small holes are drilled into the sunken slab areas of your driveway.

After drilling, mixtures of concrete, cement, sand ash, and water are injected into the holes and lift the floor. But, this is less reliable than the polyjacking method.

3.   CONCRETE RESURFACING

You can resurface your driveway to repair the minor surface cracks and potholes and restore the appearance.



The resurfacing includes replacing the top layer of your concrete driveway and concrete floor coating. This allows you to replace only the top layer instead of tearing down and replacing the entire driveway.

At PolyMagic, our experts recommend repairing driveways with minor sinking. For more details, you can contact our team for a free estimate.

WHEN TO CONSIDER REPLACING DRIVEWAY CONCRETE

Though repairing is a reliable option, sometimes, you can’t avoid replacing your driveway concrete. You need to consider replacing it if your driveway faces the following issues.

EXTENSIVE SINKING AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

A driveway that has sunk more than 2 inches indicates structural damage or extensive cracking. In this case, simply repairing or releveling will not be sufficient.

The soil underneath may have eroded drastically, which won’t retain the driveway’s structure anymore.

In this situation, replacing the concrete and refilling the underlying soil is essential.

WIDESPREAD CRACKING AND DRAINAGE PROBLEMS

If your driveway has large sections of cracks and uneven surfaces, it is a sign of falling off the entire driveway structure.

This can happen due to regular wear and tear, improper installation of slabs, poor quality of materials, etc.

Poor or destroyed drainage systems can create water pools underneath the driveway, and it can sink.



In such cases, replacing the entire driveway concrete would be a better solution.

LONG-TERM DURABILITY CONCERN

A sinking driveway due to old age that can no longer retain its structural integrity may need attention. Driveways older than 20 years have likely exceeded their lifespan.

In this case, replacing the entire driveway is a good decision. This will help you to get a new driveway with a longer lifespan. This will also give your driveways an aesthetic appeal with a smooth surface and proper functionality.

COMPARISON BETWEEN REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF DRIVEWAY CONCRETE

To help you make an informed decision, here’s a quick comparison of the key aspects of driveway repair and replacement.

PROS OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

• Repair:
• Lower cost
• Quick solution for sinking
• Minimal disruption
• Keeps the curb appeal the same as the home theme
• Better for minor sinking, cracks, and damages
• Minor soil erosion and drainage issues can be fixed
• Replacement:
• Gives long-term solution
• Cost-effective in the long run
• Suitable for structural damage
• 
  

CONS OF REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT

• Repair:
• Not suitable for severe damage
• Not visually appealing
• Replacement:
• Higher upfront costs
• Requires longer installation time
• Causes more disruption in daily routine
• The new slabs can crack
• This will create many landfills

DRIVEWAY MAINTENANCE TIPS AFTER REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT

Whether you repair or replace your driveway concrete, you should follow these maintenance practices.



• Seal the driveway surfaces against water damage and stains.
• Clean your driveway regularly for longevity.
• Remember to address drainage and soil erosion issues and maintain them regularly.

TAKE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTATION

Still unsure whether to repair or replace your driveway? Get expert guidance from PolyMagic. Our experienced team serves homes across the Kansas City Metro, Jefferson City, Columbia, and the Lake of the Ozarks region.

We’ll assess your specific needs and recommend the best solution—backed by the latest technology in concrete leveling.

NEXT STEPS IN REPAIRING YOUR SIDEWALK CONCRETE.

Both repair and replacement have their own aspects, so you should make your decision accordingly. For minor sinking, we always recommend repairing, which includes surface lifting and leveling.

But for a severely sunken driveway, you may need to replace the concrete. However, we always recommend seeking professional support to ensure the best consultation and repair service. Call today for a free estimate.

PolyMagic Kansas City: (816) 451-4535

PolyMagic Jefferson City/Columbia/Lake of the Ozarks: (573) 496-8146