Need Advice on New Concrete Driveway Problems

7 years ago

New concrete driveway was poured in February. There were a lot of issues during the pour including a heavy rain for about 15-20 minutes on the top section, the middle section they ran out of concrete and had to wait for a truck (so texture was really bad and some aggregate was showing), brush finish was inconsistent, there was unevenness and significant areas where it would hold water when it would rain, the control joints are not visible and there is cracking and chipping where the control joints should be.

The concrete company tried to fix it by putting on an skim coat. Over the past months the concrete has started to chip and crack, texture is very uneven and it looks really bad. They said they would grind down the driveway and resurface but they just put another skim coat (still looks bad) and I'm concerned that over time it won't hold up. Joints are not even visible since they were covered even more by another layer of concrete. I asked what was used and they said it was concrete powder mixed with concrete adhesive.

Is this normally how you would go about fixing a bad concrete job? Is there anyway to fix this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am retired and by myself and I don't have anyone to give me advice. I would really appreciate any advice .... please help!!!!!

Featured Answer

PRO

GN Builders L.L.C

7 years ago

It called Discoloration, usually caused by delayed finishing/hard troweling, finishing was done in "bleed water" (could also weaken the surface in this locations), the use of plastic sheeting could cause that in the area of contact and none contact which is often called "greenhouse effect"...

Not only that, I don't see any expansion or control joints placed in your driveway so it will definitely crack down the road.

It should look something like this

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Comments (9)

mindshift
7 years ago
First, you double posted this question. Please delete the other one.

I do not know if there is a way to fix this problem. I do know that the contractor who did the work should not have scheduled a pour when rain was forecast. They also should have better figured how much concrete was needed so the second truck was there for the other half of the pour. Uneven surface and a bad texturing suggest a lack of experience. You did not get the fix you were promised. You may have to contact a lawyer to give your complaint some teeth. I'm sure you do not want to pay more money to get the job done right, but sometimes there is no choice. This answe should bump your question to the top of list again, so perhaps someone with more concrete experience can explain what can be done to fix this.
Fori
7 years ago
You can't delete a post. This forum is screwy at times and can be blamed for most posting errors. Don't worry about it. :)

Bumping the post. Good luck!
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drdeb1234
7 years ago
You can contact houzz support and ask them to delete the other post
C D
7 years ago
has the contractor offered to re-do your driveway, or give your money back? I don't think a bad concrete job can be fixed
kmyagel17 thanked C D
kmyagel17
Original Author
7 years ago
The contractor subcontracted to a concrete company. The concrete company did a bad job and then attempted to fix the driveway by putting a skim coat over the driveway and after a few months it started chipping and cracking and texture was really bad. The contractor said he would fix it by grinding it down and then applying a resurfacer but what he did instead was to put a skim coat on it. When I asked what was used, he said it was concrete powder mixed with concrete adhesive. I haven't asked to have the driveway replaced but that might be what needs to be done.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
7 years ago
Yes, the concrete guys made a mess and the way it was fixed it was more of a mess.

You need a reputable concrete company and get this done right because even what they attempted to do as the repair goes that would only be a band-aid and it will not hold up.
kmyagel17 thanked GN Builders L.L.C
geoffrey_b
7 years ago
Jack hammer is your friend.
PRO
Norwood Architects
2 years ago
The don't see any control or expansion joints at all in your driveway. You could ask the concrete company to come back with a concrete saw and cut appropriately spaced control joints. This should keep the concrete from cracking willy nilly but should control more where the cracks will occur. Most any material you apply to the surface will wear and start to crack. Haven't had an experience with it but you might try painting your driveway with paint meant for that purpose. At least as it starts to wear it shouldn't be a problem to have it repainted. Good luck!