Hi, I have recently noticed a void under our concrete driveway after an evergrowing crack. It seems that the soil has moved since an old stormwater drain cracked (this has now been repaired) but the soil has continued to erode.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how this can be fixed or is it best to get a professional?
Hello @Gling
Thank you for sharing your question about your driveway. In this particular instance, I recommend engaging the services of a professional. The gap appears to be quite advanced and it's important that the void is properly filled and secured so that the driveway will not crack further or collapse. It's possible that rainwater is finding its way under the driveway which is causing the gap to grow. I suggest keeping an eye on this and possibly taking some pre-emptive steps to protect the side of your driveway from flowing rainwater.
You could install a French drain to guide flowing water out of the area. Another option is to build your own concrete sidewalk gutter which would be a bit pricy but would provide a long-term solution.
Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Noyade for their recommendations.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good Afternoon @Gling
Knowing that you had a cracked storm water pipe under the driveway tends to make me think of "has it been repaired or replaced properly" If the soil seems to be dissapearing more since it was repaired thats where my thoughts head. Repairing the reason why the cracks have formed (the concrete dosnt look that thick as I would expect) is the first point Id consider. if it was the pipe and its been fixed then the next step would be a true measure and wait to see if the crack is increasing. If not, then you could use a concrete flexible filler but I would probarlly leave it empty.
Checking the soil cant move away from the edge would be the third step. You could install numwerous different ways to give an edge so the soil under the concrete cant flow away or drop. Everything from pavers, copper logs, brick edge or gabion walls. They arnt supporting the driveway structually, just stopping soil eroding.
So take note, watch and then judge would be my route. Lifting and settled concrete or removing the crack and fillinging in the section I would put in the hands of a professional tho.
Dave
