It does not take much weathering to result in some small cracks. Fortunately, with a little bit of work, most homeowners can do simple concrete driveway repair on their own. And what a difference is can make! Acting as the gateway to your home and the surface your cars park on, it is the ribbon that wraps the gift that is your house. It makes no sense to have a perfectly manicured lawn, a freshly painted house, and a beautiful backyard if all of that aesthetic beauty is ruined by a few cracks. Here's what you have to do to get things fixed up right.
The first step in any concrete driveway repair is to do the proper prep work. This means cleaning out the crack as thoroughly as possible. Without this step, no patch is going to be able to bond properly and you'll find yourself left with a mess that may be worse than when you started. This is as good a time as any to mention that if you do not feel comfortable moving ahead you should contact a professional to come do the work for you. If you take the time to find someone good through word of mouth you will have a nice, clean job done and it probably will not cost as much as you think.
Moving on. Once you've cleaned out the crack, you have to decide what kind of patching system to use. You may use a premixed sealant, mortar mix, or premixed concrete, depending on your preference and the size of the crack itself. If you are not sure which one to go with, stop by your local building supply store and see what they have to say. More than likely, they've answered these questions in the past and will be able to help you make the right choice. Make sure you take exact measurements of the crack so you know what you're dealing with.
Taking care of your driveway and performing concrete driveway repair can be a satisfying, if laborious job. If at any time you feel in over your head, find someone who knows what they're doing and get some assistance. If that means contacting a professional contractor, then do so. There is no greater investment than your home. At every turn, you have the choice to do a repair yourself or call someone out to do it. And unless you have the expertise, every DIY job you do is going to slightly devalue your investment. When there are no other options, that's what you're stuck with. But when you can call a professional, you should.