Here's the honest truth from a company that makes its living repairing concrete: sometimes replacement is the right call. We know that sounds strange coming from us, but our reputation is built on trust, not on selling you services you don't need.
The concrete repair industry has two extremes. On one side, you have contractors who want to replace everything because the profit margins are higher. On the other, you have handymen who will patch anything with a trowel and some Quikrete, regardless of whether it will last. Neither serves the homeowner well.
This guide will give you the knowledge to make an informed decision. We'll explain exactly when repair is the smart choice, when replacement is necessary, and the grey zones in between.
The Repair Zone: When Fixing Makes Financial Sense
✓ Repair is Almost Always Right When:
- •Less than 30-40% of the surface is damaged. If 60%+ of your driveway is in good condition, why destroy it?
- •The damage is localized. One cracked panel, a sunken corner, or a spalled section near the garage. These are surgical problems with surgical solutions.
- •The slab is sinking but intact. If the concrete hasn't shattered, foam lifting can raise it back to level for 50-70% less than replacement.
- •Surface damage only (spalling, scaling, staining). The structural slab is fine; only the top layer has failed. Resurfacing solves this.
- •You need a quick fix. Repair takes hours to days. Replacement takes weeks (including cure time).
The Replacement Zone: When New Concrete is Necessary
✗ Replacement is Likely Necessary When:
- •More than 50% of the surface is severely damaged. At this point, the cost of multiple repairs approaches or exceeds replacement, and you get the benefit of a completely new system.
- •The concrete is shattered into many small pieces. We can't lift gravel. If the slab has disintegrated into a mosaic of chunks, it needs to be removed.
- •The slab is too thin. Older driveways were sometimes poured at only 2-3 inches. This is below structural standards. If we try to lift or repair, it may crack further. Replacement with proper 4-inch thickness is the long-term solution.
- •Major drainage redesign is needed. If your driveway slopes toward the house and causes foundation flooding, patching won't fix the grade. A new pour with proper slope design is required.
- •Massive underground utility issues. If a failed sewer line or collapsed drain pipe caused the damage, we need to excavate to fix the root cause. Replacement of the concrete above is part of that larger project.
- •You want a complete design change. If you hate your plain grey concrete and want stamped, colored, or exposed aggregate, that's a new pour. (Though we can sometimes achieve similar looks with overlays.)
The Grey Zone: It Depends
Some situations require professional judgment:
Widespread Cracking Pattern
If cracks run throughout the entire driveway in a random pattern, it could indicate a fundamental subgrade failure. We need to investigate whether the base can be stabilized or if it will continue to move. Sometimes we can repair; sometimes the underlying problem mandates replacement.
Old Stamped or Decorative Concrete
Matching stamped concrete is difficult. If only one small section is damaged, we can try color-matched sectional replacement. But if the pattern is discontinued or the color has faded significantly, achieving a seamless look may be impossible without resurfacing or replacing the entire area.
Selling the Home Soon
Curb appeal matters. If you're selling in the next year, a brand-new driveway might add more to your home's value than a repaired one, even if structurally they're equivalent. We'll give you an honest opinion on what buyers in your neighborhood expect.
The Decision Matrix
| Damage Level | Recommended Action | Typical Savings vs. Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 panels cracked/sunken | Sectional replacement or lifting | 70-85% |
| Surface spalling only | Resurfacing overlay | 60-75% |
| Multiple trip hazards | Grinding + selective repair | 80-90% |
| 30-50% damage | Evaluate case-by-case | 40-60% |
| 50%+ damage or thin slab | Consider replacement | 0% (replacement needed) |
Conclusion: Get an Honest Assessment
The best way to make this decision is to get a professional inspection from a contractor who offers both repair and replacement. Beware of companies that only do one or the other—they have a built-in bias.
At Charlotte Concrete Repair, we'll walk your property, assess every crack and slope, and give you a straightforward recommendation. If repair is the smart choice, we'll tell you. If replacement is necessary, we'll tell you that too—and we can refer you to trusted replacement contractors if that's outside our scope.
Your goal is a safe, functional, attractive concrete surface at the best value. That's our goal too. Let's figure out the right path together.
Charlotte Concrete Repair Team
Our expert team has been serving Charlotte and surrounding areas for over 15 years, completing 500+ concrete projects. We share our industry knowledge to help homeowners make informed decisions.