Which cracks can be repaired as part of a restoration?
Hairline cracks, shrinkage cracks, fine cracks along joints and pattern lines, chipped corners and small holes can all be filled and coated as part of a restoration. What they have in common is that the two sides of the crack are level with each other and the slab around them is firm.
Most concrete develops some cracking as it dries and ages, and stamped concrete driveways in the province are no exception. Fine lines tend to follow the pattern or run across narrow points such as the area beside a gate post or a planter. They collect dirt, darken and become more noticeable than they really deserve. Filling them before recolouring turns the surface back into one continuous area.
Crack repair on this site is always cosmetic in purpose. We restore the continuity and look of the surface; we do not stitch, reinforce or rebuild a slab, and we do not carry out structural assessments. Where we see signs that a crack has a structural origin, we say so and recommend that the cause is looked at before any filling or coating.
How can you tell a cosmetic crack from a structural one?
A cosmetic crack is fine, stable and flat across; a structural one tends to widen, has one side higher than the other, or appears together with sinking, hollow-sounding areas or new puddles. The second group has its origin below the surface and needs a different kind of work.
| What you see | Likely meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fine line, both sides level, no change over time | Shrinkage or surface cracking | Fill and coat as part of a restoration |
| Network of fine surface cracks | Weathered surface layer | Clean, fill and coat |
| Crack that widens year after year | Movement in the slab or base | Assess the cause before any coating |
| Step between the two sides, or sinking nearby | Loss of support underneath | Structural repair first |
If your cracks fall into the last two rows, our sister site for sunken paving explains how the cause is identified on its page about subsidence diagnosis. Our guide restore without replacing lists the signs that rule restoration out.
How do we repair cracks in a concrete driveway?
Cracks are cleaned out during the pressure wash, filled with acrylic filler or repair mortar and levelled with a spatula. When the surface is dry, it is masked and coated, so the repairs disappear under the colour together with the rest of the driveway.
- Pressure wash the surface and the cracks to remove dirt, roots and loose material.
- Allow the cracks to dry so the filler can bond to clean, sound edges.
- Fill cracks and holes with acrylic filler or repair mortar, pressing it in with a spatula.
- Level the repair with the surrounding surface so it does not form a ridge or a hollow.
- Mask edges and adjoining surfaces, then apply two coats of tinted acrylic resin.
- Finish with the optional protective coat and remove the tapes.
In our photos of a stamped concrete driveway, the filled cracks appear as light grey lines across the darker, faded surface before painting, and they are no longer visible once the dark grey coating is on. That sequence is described in detail in our guide to restoration step by step.
Why should cracks be filled before the surface is painted?
An open crack under a fresh coating remains a weak line: water, dirt and roots continue to get in, and the edges of the coating break along it. Filling it first gives the resin a continuous surface to bond to and makes the finished colour look even.
There is also an aesthetic reason. Coatings are thin and follow every irregularity of the surface, so an unfilled crack shows through as a dark line. A good repair levelled with the surface makes the difference between a driveway that looks repainted and one that looks renewed. More on cleaning and readiness is in the guide on surface preparation.
Can you repair the patterning on a stamped concrete driveway?
We can fill chipped edges and holes within the pattern and bring the surface back to an even colour, but this repair service does not re-stamp a section that has broken away or recreate its original moulded texture. Small defects are smoothed so they blend with the surrounding texture. Where a whole area needs breaking out, we also pour new stamped concrete, quoted separately.
Where large areas of the pattern have crumbled or the slab has broken into separate pieces, recoating is no longer the right tool. The page on stamped concrete restoration explains what restoration achieves on imprinted surfaces, and the comparison in resin, paint or replace helps when you are unsure whether the damage is too extensive.
Where do cracks typically appear on a driveway or patio?
Cracks tend to concentrate at predictable places: next to gate posts and pillars, at the corners of planters and manhole covers, along narrow strips between a wall and a flowerbed, and across the line where a driveway meets a garage threshold. These are points where the slab is restrained or changes width, so stresses gather there.
- Beside posts and pillars of pergolas and gates.
- At re-entrant corners around planters, steps and inspection chambers.
- Along pattern lines of stamped concrete, where the slab is slightly thinner.
- At the junction between an outdoor apron and a garage floor.
- Where tree roots run close to the surface, which may also indicate lifting.
Knowing where cracks usually form helps when you take photos for a quote. Walk the area slowly, photograph each of these points from above and at a low angle, and note any crack that has a raised or lowered side. Our article on what to know before painting outdoor paving lists other details worth checking.
What does crack repair cost?
Crack and hole repair is priced as part of the restoration, and its share depends on how many cracks there are, how long and how wide they are, and how many holes and chips need filling. We do not publish figures on this site.
Our sister site shows how surface repair appears as a separate line in a restoration quote on its restoration cost page. If the cracking is only one part of a tired surface, the page on concrete painting describes the whole programme of work. For a figure for your own driveway, photos of the worst cracks and the approximate area are enough to start.
Frequently asked questions
Can hairline cracks in concrete be repaired?
Yes. Hairline and shrinkage cracks are cleaned, filled with acrylic filler or repair mortar and levelled with the surface. Once the area is coated with tinted resin, the repairs blend in with the rest of the surface and stop collecting dirt.
Will repaired cracks be visible afterwards?
Before coating, filled cracks show as lighter lines. After the two coats of tinted resin they are generally no longer noticeable, as our project photos show. A crack that is still moving may eventually reappear as a fine line, which is why we check stability first.
What material do you use to fill cracks?
We use acrylic filler or repair mortar, depending on the width and location of the crack. We work with Mapei products. The material is pressed in with a spatula and levelled so the coating has a continuous, flat surface to bond to.
Can a crack that keeps getting wider be filled?
Filling it would only hide the symptom. A crack that widens over time indicates movement in the slab or the ground below. The cause needs to be found and dealt with first; otherwise the filler and the coating will crack again along the same line.
Do I need to repair cracks if I am only cleaning the driveway?
Not necessarily. If you only want a deep clean, cracks can stay as they are, though they will keep collecting dirt and weeds. Filling becomes important when the surface is going to be coated, because an open crack shows through the new colour.
Can you repair a crack next to a gate post or wall?
Yes, these are common locations because the slab is narrower or restrained there. We fill the crack, mask the post or wall and cut in the coating by brush. If the crack has a step or the post has moved, we will point that out before quoting.
Can small holes and chipped corners be repaired too?
Yes. Small holes, chipped corners and worn spots are filled with the same materials and levelled, so the surface is continuous before coating. Larger broken-out areas are assessed individually, because they may be too extensive for a cosmetic repair.
Do you repair cracks in tarmac driveways?
Not as part of this service, which covers concrete, stamped concrete and concrete block paving. Tarmac uses different materials and techniques. We do, however, also lay asphalt, so send photos of a tarmac drive and we will discuss it with you separately.
Why do cracks appear in stamped concrete?
Concrete shrinks as it dries and moves slightly with temperature changes, so fine cracks are common. They often follow pattern lines or narrow points. Wider cracks may also come from movement in the ground, which needs a different assessment.
How do I ask for a crack repair quote?
Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote. Add close-ups of the widest cracks with a coin or tape measure for scale, and tell us whether they have changed recently. That helps us judge whether they are cosmetic.