A crack in the driveway, no matter how minor, can be a concern for homeowners. It’s not just an eyesore, but it can also put people in risk. It could damage your car’s tires or cause a visitor to trip and fall on your property. You’ll want to fix a crack in your driveway as quickly as feasible as a homeowner. Is it possible to seek assistance from your homeowner’s insurance? It is debatable.
If a covered risk, such as a natural disaster or vandalism, caused the fracture in the driveway, home insurance may cover the cost of repair. Assume a storm toppled a massive tree, cracking your driveway. In some circumstances, where an unexpected incident occurs, the homeowner’s insurance policy will cover it. Most driveway cracks, on the other hand, do not look like this. Rather, they occur as the earth underneath us shifts. The dirt beneath your driveway may move or wash away after heavy rains. As a result, the driveway concrete weakens, placing strain on it and breaking. Because this is a long-term condition, most homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover it.
Even so, it’s worth contacting your insurer to see if your homeowners insurance covers it. If a big crack appears, your insurance may be able to dispatch an agent to evaluate the damage and discover the root cause. They can check to see if your homeowner’s insurance will cover it.
Do insurance companies cover driveways?
In most homeowners insurance policies, driveways are listed as a structure that is covered against financial loss. If your driveway leads to a detached garage or carport, it may fall within the other structures section of your policy, but it should still be covered.
Is a driveway considered another structure?
Other Structures a section of a homeowner’s policy that covers structures on the property that are isolated from the dwelling by a clear area or connected to the dwelling by a fence, utility line, or other similar connection. A detached garage, tool shed, driveway, swimming pool, gazebo, or fence are all examples.
Does homeowners insurance cover sinking concrete?
When an insurer first gets into a contract with you, they assume that your home will remain in essentially the same condition as it was at the time of the contract. A normal insurance policy, for example, does not cover shifting soil or structural issues. The foundation of your home, as well as any concrete structures attached to it, is assumed to be stable and sturdy.
The damage to your concrete foundation or porch will not be covered by your insurance company if it sinks due to settling or incorrect installation. If the problem is caused by an installation failure, it will be considered a pre-existing condition. In the case of a settling foundation, it may be specifically excluded.
What does a cracked driveway mean?
Q: We recently purchased a new home, and we love it, however the driveway has a few cracks that I’d like to repair. Is it possible to fix a broken driveway myself, or do I need to contact a professional?
A: While concrete is one of the most durable building materials available, it can develop cracks and other problems with time. Repairing driveway cracks is a reasonably straightforward do-it-yourself project for the most part. To figure out how to proceed, first assess the sort of crack you’re dealing with and what created it, then follow the recommendations provided by Quikrete’s concrete specialists.
If narrow cosmetic cracks are the problem, you can restore the look of your driveway with a resurfacing product.
Fine surface cracks, often known as “crazing,” indicate that the concrete’s surface dried too soon after it was poured. These fractures in a concrete driveway, while unattractive, do not signal underlying structural issues. If the remainder of your driveway is sound (no heaving, sinking, or crumbling), you can use a high-quality resurfacing solution like Quikrete’s Concrete Resurfacer to replace those tiny fissures with a smooth concrete surface. The polymer modifiers and additives in this cement-based solution are meant to build a durable and permanent bond with the existing concrete.
While Concrete Resurfacer does not necessitate the assistance of a professional, it does necessitate meticulous attention to detail. First, a high-pressure washer must be used to thoroughly clean the existing concrete. Depending on the size of the driveway, apply the resurfacer in small, workable parts one at a time with a long-handled squeegee. This ensures that you may apply the product, smooth it out, and give the surface a brushed effect before it dries. For detailed instructions, watch the Quikrete team’s slab resurfacing video.
Patch or fill small cracks
- Cracks or holes less than 1/4″ wide usually do not constitute a structural concern and can be temporarily repaired by filling or patching them.
- Fillers and patches have a distinct appearance from the concrete to which they are put. If there are several locations to correct, this can result in an unpleasant blotchy overall appearance, so keep that in mind.
- Patches are also not watertight, which means that water will ultimately seep in between the patch and the original concrete, reopening the crack or hole.
- Filling a few small cracks or holes using materials from your local hardware store is a pretty simple DIY project.
Concrete resurfacing to cover larger cracks or surface problems
- Resurfacing or a concrete overlay can hide large cracks or holes larger than 1/4 inch, spalling (horizontal peeling or chipping of the surface), and discolouration (a thin layer of cement-based material applied directly over the existing concrete).
- You can apply decorative finishes like stamping or painting to resurfaced surfaces.
- Without the added work and expense of removing and replacing your driveway, it will look brand new.
- Refinishing with an overlay is a middle ground between repairing and replacing, providing a more long-lasting and cosmetic repair than patching.
How do you fix a sinking driveway?
Making an apron out of paving bricks is another option to remedy a sunken driveway. It’s appealing, you can install it yourself, and the pavers may be quickly reset if the soil settles again. Take the following steps:
- Draw a line parallel to the garage door with chalk. Make sure it extends long enough to cover all of the asphalt that has settled. To set the chalk line at a full brick, lay out a row of your paving bricks, starting against the garage floor slab.
- Cut following the chalk line through the asphalt (which is normally 2 to 3 inches thick). Make sure you have hearing and vision protection.
- Dig a 12-inch-deep trench and remove the asphalt. Under the remaining asphalt, angle the trench wall slightly. To compact the earth, rent a plate compactor and run it along the trench at least four times. Landscape cloth should be used to line the sides and bottom of the trench. It’s sold through landscape supply companies.
- Spread a 2-inch layer of Class V or other compactable gravel on the ground, dampen it, then compact it four times with the compactor. Continue spreading and compacting the gravel in 2-inch layers until it reaches a depth of 3 inches below the current driveway.
- Spread a 1-inch layer of coarse sand along the grass boundaries and install paver edging. It should not be compacted.
- Set your pavers in place, compact them with a plate compactor, then sand the joints. To protect the sand from washing out, use a joint stabilizing sealant.
How do you fix a dip in a concrete driveway?
Cut off the loose parts in the repair area with a chisel. Then apply a coat of bonding adhesive to the patched area. This aids in the adhesion of the patch compound to the surface. Using a trowel, apply patching compound to the hole 1/2 inch at a time. Allow it to dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Continue layering until it’s slightly higher than the driveway level. Over the patched area, trowel the compound until it’s level with the rest of the driveway.
What is covered by other structures coverage?
Other structures coverage is a feature of a homes insurance policy that helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing structures other than your home, such as a fence, if they are damaged by a covered risk. Other structures coverage, for example, may assist pay for repairs if a tree falls on your detached garage.