Concrete Repair & Restoration

When Concrete Needs Repair

Even well-built concrete develops problems over time. Cracks appear, sections settle, surfaces spall or flake, and edges break away. Sometimes the damage is cosmetic, but often it creates safety hazards like trip points or structural issues that only get worse if ignored.

At CCW Chico Concrete Works, we repair driveways, patios, sidewalks, steps, and slabs throughout Chico. We've seen it all: sunken garage aprons, crumbling porch steps, cracked patio sections, and driveways with heaving or settling. The good news is that many concrete problems can be fixed without tearing everything out and starting over.

The key is acting before small problems turn into big ones. A hairline crack might seem harmless, but water gets in, freezes, and widens the crack. Before you know it, you're dealing with major damage and a much higher repair bill. We'll evaluate your concrete honestly and recommend whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.

Common Repair Solutions

We offer several repair methods depending on the type and severity of damage:

• •Crack filling and sealing: We clean out cracks, fill them with flexible sealant or repair compound, and finish to match the surrounding surface.
• •Slab jacking (mud jacking): We inject material under sunken slabs to lift them back to the proper level, fixing uneven sidewalks and driveways.
• •Surface resurfacing: We apply a new layer of concrete or overlay product to cover spalling, discoloration, or minor surface damage.
• •Partial replacement: We cut out severely damaged sections and pour new concrete, blending it with the existing surface.
• •Spall repair: We remove loose material, apply bonding agents, and patch with repair mortar to restore structural integrity.

Each situation is different. During our inspection, we'll identify the cause of the damage and explain your options. Sometimes a simple repair buys you years of additional life. Other times, replacement is the smarter long-term investment.

Repair vs Replacement

How do you know whether to repair or replace? Here's our general guideline: if damage affects less than 25 percent of the surface and the remaining concrete is structurally sound, repair usually makes sense. If you're dealing with widespread cracking, multiple settled areas, or structural failure, replacement is often more cost-effective.

For example, a driveway with one or two cracked panels might be a good candidate for partial replacement. But if the entire driveway is settling and showing its age, investing in a full replacement gives you better value and a warranty on new work.

Similarly, if your patio has surface cracks but is otherwise stable, repair might extend its life by 5 to 10 years. But if the base is eroded and the slab is shifting, repair is just a temporary fix. We'll always give you an honest assessment and let you make the final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions