How to Protect Your Minnesota Concrete Driveway from Cracking

Concrete is a durable and long-lasting material, but it’s not immune to cracks. If you’ve noticed cracks forming in your driveway, you’re not alone. Minnesota’s climate, heavy loads, and natural ground shifts all play a role in concrete deterioration. The good news is that many of these issues can be prevented with proper installation and maintenance. We’ll explore why concrete cracks and what you can do to protect your driveway.

Why Does Concrete Crack—and How Can You Prevent It?

Cracks in concrete can occur for several reasons, ranging from poor installation to environmental factors. Below, we break down the most common causes and how to prevent them.

Improper Installation

Concrete that is not installed correctly is bound to crack over time. Here are some of the most common installation mistakes:

• Poor Base Installation: A weak or uneven base can cause the concrete to settle and crack. To prevent this, ensure that your contractor compacts the base properly before pouring the concrete.
• Expansive Soils (Clay): If the soil underneath the concrete contains a lot of clay, it can expand and contract with moisture changes, leading to cracks. This can be prevented by properly grading the area and using a well-compacted gravel base.
• Wrong Concrete Mix: Using the wrong ratio of water to cement can weaken the concrete. A properly mixed batch with the right aggregates ensures a strong, long-lasting surface.
• Improper Curing: If concrete is not cured correctly, it can dry too fast and develop cracks. Keeping the surface moist for at least a week after installation can prevent early cracking.

Unfortunately, if the concrete was installed incorrectly, there’s little that can be done to stop cracking once it starts. That’s why hiring a trusted concrete contractor for proper concrete driveway installation is essential.

2. Heavy Loads

Concrete driveways are designed for cars and light trucks, not for heavy vehicles like trash trucks, dump trucks, semi-trucks, or large RVs. Excessive weight can cause cracking and structural damage.

Prevention Tips:

• If you anticipate heavy loads, ask your contractor to reinforce your driveway during installation.
• Avoid parking heavy vehicles on your driveway whenever possible.
• If heavy loads are unavoidable, have them drive on your yard instead. Be prepared for some ruts afterward, or place plywood down to help distribute the weight.

3. Extreme Temperatures

Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycle is one of the biggest threats to concrete driveways. As water seeps into the concrete and freezes, it expands, causing the concrete to heave and crack.

Prevention Tips:

• Install expansion joints to control cracking by allowing the concrete to expand and contract naturally.
• Seal your concrete driveway to prevent water from penetrating the surface.
• Repair small cracks early before they widen and allow water to reach the sub-base.

4. Plant Growth

Tree roots grow outward in search of water, and if they reach your driveway, they can push against the concrete and cause it to crack or lift. Root systems can extend as wide as the tree’s canopy, so proximity matters.

Prevention Tips:

• For existing trees: Cutting roots won’t permanently solve the issue, but installing a root barrier can help slow the damage.
  • Learn more about root barriers.
• For new trees: Avoid planting too close to your driveway. If necessary, install a root barrier at the time of planting.

5. Snow Removal and Plows

Winter snow removal can unintentionally damage concrete. Snowplows, in particular, can chip edges and cause cracks if they hit a raised joint.

Prevention Tips:

• Use plows with soft edges to minimize impact.
• Set the plow blade slightly higher to avoid scraping the concrete.
• Consider using a snow blower instead of a plow to reduce damage risk.

6. Chemical Deicing

Many deicing chemicals, such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, can cause concrete scaling. This results in blemishes, pockmarks, and flaking.

Prevention Tips:

• Avoid using deicing chemicals during the first year after installation.
• If necessary, use them sparingly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Not all “safe” deicers are truly safe—always check the label.
• Apply a concrete sealer to help protect against deicing damage.

Keep Your Concrete Driveway in Top Shape

Cracking is a common issue for concrete driveways, but many causes can be mitigated or prevented with proper care. If your driveway already has cracks, it’s important to address them early to prevent further deterioration.

If you have cracked concrete, contact Erickson Asphalt today. We provide expert concrete driveway installation, sealing, and repair services to homeowners throughout Minnesota. Need more information? Check out our guide to repairing concrete on our blog!