New driveway cracking like a potato chip
New driveway cracking like a potato chip
(OP)
My new driveway began hairline cracking the day after pouring, and has continued for two weeks, looking like a 2500 sq ft jigsaw puzzle. Contractor used good base, half-inch rebar on 2’ centers, and poured under good conditions. He tried patching the first cracks with some cement/epoxy compound, and applied sealer over everything. The patches have not lightened and the cracks came through a day later. He suspects bad mud, and the cement rep is supposed to come out with his “expert” at repairing such problems.
I suspect that they’ll want to coat the entire surface with something to hide the cracks and make me go away. Does anything really exist that can be applied over this disaster and solve the problem, or am I facing a court battle?
I suspect that they’ll want to coat the entire surface with something to hide the cracks and make me go away. Does anything really exist that can be applied over this disaster and solve the problem, or am I facing a court battle?





RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
You can determine the w/c ratio by taking core samples and sending them off to a testing lab. Also, could be they didn't use very large aggregate in the mix - the lab could verify this as well.
With all the cracks, the "patches" will probably not hold for long as you drive over the slab and wear down the aggregate interlock. Having the rebar in the slab helps...but only delays the inevitable I would think.
Suggest you contact a testing lab to look into it. Remeber - you purchased a good quality driveway - all concrete cracks, but not to the extent that you describe. I would insist on a new slab - otherwise you are buying essentially a gravel driveway with gray paint on it.
RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
I don't know if you can answer any of these questions, but they may be pertinet to the problem.
Was bleed water removed? How did the contractor protect the concrete surface from drying out? How was the slab cured? At what time did this protection or curing happen? What was the weather (temp., humidity, rate of change, etc.) during the day when it was poured and finished and the following night and day? How long has this contractor been in business?
I would be very reluctant to accept a fix, without knowing how it will perform over the long term.
RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
Don't let the contractor off the hook. Get it repaired now. Do not accept a thin surface treatment as this is a traffic slab with relatively high surface stresses and abrasion, to which thin toppings do not often respond well.
At a minimum, the repair should include scabbling to at least 3/4 of an inch below the existing surface, followed by placement of a polymer concrete topping designed for traffic. Otherwise, tear it out and start over.
RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
The contractor first described the first appearance as normal shrinkage cracks, which chose not to conform with the control joints. But, there are just way too many of them. They are long, not straight, and go in random directions.
RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
RE: New driveway cracking like a potato chip
Sounds like the slab was not wet cured or protected from the drying elements.