Cracks, spalling and surface wear don't always mean your slab is done. Portland Concrete assesses what can be fixed in place, patches problem areas, and resurfaces slabs that are structurally solid but visually tired. We give you a straight answer on whether repair makes sense or if the base has truly failed. Every assessment comes with a free written estimate.
A driveway that looks rough on top is not automatically a candidate for removal. The base underneath may be perfectly intact, the slab level and stable, and the visible damage limited to surface cracks, corner spalling, or freeze-thaw pitting that can be sealed and patched.
Repair work targets those surface problems directly. Cracks get sealed to stop water infiltration, spalled edges are saw-cut clean and patched back to profile, and worn areas are ground smooth and refilled. When the whole surface needs refreshing, a thin concrete overlay gives the driveway a uniform new appearance without the cost and disruption of a full tear-out.
The line between repair and replacement is drawn by the base. If the slab is heaving, settling unevenly, or separating from adjacent concrete, the foundation has failed and a new concrete driveway is the honest answer. We walk the slab with you, identify what is fixable, and recommend sealing to protect the repair long-term, just as we would for patio concrete work.
Recent work
The repair sequence
How Portland Concrete Repairs Driveways Step by Step
On-site evaluation
We inspect the slab for base movement, crack patterns, and surface deterioration, then give you a clear recommendation on whether repair is viable or whether replacement is the right path forward.
Saw-cut and excavate
For localized damage, we make clean saw-cuts around the failed zone, remove the damaged concrete, and expose the base below so the new patch can bond to sound material.
Prepare base and reinforce
The base is compacted or rebuilt as needed. For larger patches, reinforcement is set in place to ensure the repair carries load without cracking.
Pour, finish and cure
Fresh concrete is placed into the prepared cavity at the correct thickness, finished to match the surrounding texture, and cured on schedule. Full resurfacing applies an overlay across the entire slab for a seamless look.
Overlay and protection
Resurfacing and Sealing Extend Repair Life
When spot repairs would leave visible seams across the driveway, resurfacing is the cleaner solution. A thin overlay of fresh concrete goes down over the prepared slab, creating one unified surface without the cost of demolition and replacement.
After any repair work, sealing the driveway is essential. The seal closes the pores against water and de-icing salt, preventing the same freeze-thaw damage from recurring. If the assessment reveals the slab cannot be saved, we offer stamped, exposed aggregate, brushed, and coloured concrete options for a complete new pour.
Repair vs replace, cracks, spalling, resurfacing and what is honest to fix in Portland.
If the cracks are surface-only and the slab still sits level, repair is usually the right call. If the slab is heaving, settling or pulling away from the steps and walks, the base has likely failed and a new pour is the honest answer. We assess for free.
Yes. We saw-cut clean edges around the failed area, remove what is bad, prepare the base, and pour a matching patch. Properly bonded, a patch into a sound slab holds as well as the original concrete.
Resurfacing lays a thin overlay across a prepared slab when the structure is sound but the surface is cosmetically gone. It gives the whole driveway a fresh, uniform look at a fraction of a tear-out cost.
Patches into existing concrete are visible up close, fresh concrete cures slightly different in tone than aged concrete. Resurfacing avoids that by covering the whole slab in one go. We can colour-match patches to minimise the visual line.
A repair on a sound slab lasts as long as the slab does, which means decades when the underlying base is intact and the surface gets sealed on schedule. A repair on a failing base is buying time, and we will tell you so.
Homeowner reviews
What Portland Homeowners Say About Their Driveway Repairs
Quoted a resurface instead of a full tear-out because the slab was still sound. Saved us thousands and the new finish looks like a new driveway from the street.
P. G.
Portland
★★★★★
Spalled corner at the curb cut, fixed cleanly with a colour-matched patch. The seam is barely visible and it has not cracked again through the winter.
L. E.
Hillsboro
★★★★★
They were honest that part of the driveway needed replacing because the base had failed, and the other part could be repaired. Did both, exactly as they explained.
M. C.
Gresham
★★★★★
Patched several surface cracks before they could grow. The seal is back on, the slab looks decades younger, and they said it should outlast me at this point.
W. A.
Vancouver
From the blog
Concrete Guides & Articles
Practical reading on planning, finishes and caring for concrete in Portland.
Cracks, spalling, surface damage or a slab that just looks tired, tell us what you are seeing and we will assess it free, give a straight repair-or-replace answer, and put any work into a written quote.
