Should You Repair or Replace Your Concrete Driveway in Vancouver?

As the owner of SMV Concrete, I talk to homeowners in the Vancouver area every week who are facing the same dilemma: is it time to repair those cracks and chips, or do they need to bite the bullet and replace the entire driveway?

The truth is, there’s no textbook answer. Anyone who gives you one without seeing the job is selling you something. The decision to repair or replace your concrete driveway is a serious investment, and it hinges entirely on the extent of the failure and what you need from the finished product.

Here is my direct, professional breakdown of the factors you need to consider right here in the Pacific Northwest.

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The Three Critical Factors

When we assess your driveway, we look at three things: the structural integrity of the existing concrete, the investment cost, and the projected lifespan of the fix.

	Repair	Replacement
Structural Integrity	Suitable only when the base and majority of the slabs are sound.	Required when base failure or widespread structural cracks are present.
Projected Lifespan	Short-Term (2–5 years). It’s a temporary fix to extend the life of a sound base.	Long-Term (20+ years). A completely new, guaranteed foundation.
Cost	Lower immediate cost, but risk of future repairs.	Highest initial cost, but the guaranteed longest lifespan (20+ years).

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When Repair Makes Professional Sense (Preserving Structural Soundness)

We advise repairing the concrete when the foundation underneath is still solid, and the damage is primarily cosmetic or localized. This is about being strategic with your investment:

• Hairline Surface Cracks: Small, non-structural cracks that don't shift or widen dramatically. These are common in the Vancouver climate due to temperature fluctuations. We seal these to prevent water infiltration, which is the key to stopping future deterioration.

• Minor Spalling or Scaling: If the top surface is flaking, usually due to poor initial finishing or salt exposure, we can often patch or apply a professional resurfacing product. This refreshes the look without tearing out the entire slab.

• Isolated Settling: If one section has settled slightly, but the surrounding concrete is fine, we can use concrete leveling (like slab jacking) to inject material underneath and lift the slab back into alignment. This is a targeted, fast, and cost-effective fix.
  

If the structural integrity of the majority of your driveway is intact, a targeted repair can buy you many more years of service for a fraction of the replacement cost.

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When Replacement is the Only Real Option (Base Failure and Extensive Damage)

You need to look at replacement when the problem isn't the concrete surface itself, but a failure of the sub-base—the ground underneath—or when the damage is too widespread to be cost-effective to repair.

• Widespread Structural Cracking: If you have deep, wide cracks that run through multiple panels or if the panels are actively shifting, heaving, or sinking dramatically. This usually signals a failure in the base preparation or severe soil movement, which is common with the clay soils we deal with in the Greater Vancouver area. Patches won't fix a failing foundation.

• Crumbling and Extensive Pitting: If the concrete is actively disintegrating across a large area—not just chipping on the surface, but crumbling all the way through—the material itself has reached the end of its life. No amount of patching will restore its strength.

• Severe Drainage Issues: If your driveway has settled so poorly that it creates severe pooling against your home, replacement is necessary. We must remove the old concrete to properly re-grade the sub-base and ensure the new driveway slopes correctly to manage Pacific Northwest rain runoff.

• The 50/50 Rule: If we calculate that the cost and effort of repairing the individual bad spots approaches 40-50% of a brand-new installation, replacement is almost always the smarter, longer-term investment. You avoid future repair costs and get a full warranty on a completely new slab.

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The Final Judgment Call: Get in Touch with SMV Concrete

I believe in giving our clients in Vancouver honest, expert advice. We don't push for replacement if a repair will genuinely serve you well, but we won't recommend a temporary fix that will cost you more money in two years.

The ultimate way to decide is to have us come out. We will inspect the entire driveway, use our local expertise to diagnose the root cause of the damage (not just the visible symptom), and provide you with a detailed estimate for both a full replacement and any viable repair options.

Your driveway is a significant part of your home's curb appeal and functionality. Don't guess. Call SMV Concrete today, and let's get you the right, long-lasting solution.