Should You Repair or Replace Your Driveway? A Decision Guide

Your driveway has seen better days. It’s settled, cracked, and maybe looking a bit tired. The question every homeowner faces: repair what you have or tear it out and start fresh?

This guide helps you make that decision about driveway leveling based on your driveway’s actual condition—not guesswork or sales pressure.

The Quick Assessment

Before diving deep, a few quick observations often point toward the right answer:

Likely repair candidate:

Concrete is structurally sound (no crumbling)
Settling is under 4 inches
Cracks are present but concrete isn’t broken into pieces
Age is under 30 years
No major structural damage

Likely replacement candidate:

Concrete is crumbling or deteriorating
Severe, deep cracks throughout
Broken into multiple pieces
Heaving and settling in same area
Major drainage problems beneath

Let’s examine each factor in detail.

Factor 1: Concrete Condition

The surface condition of your concrete is the most important factor.

Repair Is Appropriate When:

Minor surface damage:

Hairline cracks (cosmetic)
Surface scaling or spalling (can be addressed separately)
Staining or discoloration
Small popouts or pitting

Structural integrity:

Slabs are intact (not broken into pieces)
Cracks don’t go all the way through
No crumbling when you chip at edges
Solid sound when you tap with a hammer

Replacement Is Needed When:

Severe deterioration:

Concrete crumbles when touched
Deep, wide cracks throughout
D-cracking (closely spaced parallel cracks near edges)
Extensive spalling (surface peeling off)

Structural failure:

Slabs broken into multiple pieces
Large chunks missing
Reinforcement (rebar/mesh) visible and rusted
Hollow sound when tapped (delamination)

Factor 2: Amount of Settling

How much your driveway has settled affects repair viability.

Settlement	Repair Viability	Notes
Under 1”	Excellent	Simple leveling job
1-2”	Very good	Standard leveling project
2-4”	Good	May require more material
4-6”	Possible	Case-by-case evaluation
Over 6”	Unlikely	Usually indicates major soil issues

The practical limit: Most driveways can be lifted up to 4-6 inches successfully. Beyond that, the underlying soil problems may be too severe for leveling to provide a lasting solution.

Uneven settling: If one section has settled 6 inches while an adjacent section is fine, there may be a specific void or soil problem that leveling can address.

Factor 3: Crack Analysis

Not all cracks are created equal.

Cracks That Allow Repair:

Control joint cracks: These form at the designed joint locations and are expected. They don’t affect structural integrity.

Shrinkage cracks: Hairline cracks from the original curing process. Cosmetic only.

Settlement cracks: Cracks that form because of settling. Once leveled, these stabilize.

Cracks That May Require Replacement:

Through-cracks: Cracks that go all the way through the slab and separate it into pieces.

Pattern cracking: “Alligator” pattern indicates severe deterioration.

Active cracks: Cracks that continue to grow and widen over time despite repair attempts.

Factor 4: Age and History

Age considerations:

Driveway Age	Typical Condition	Repair Outlook
Under 10 years	Minor settling	Excellent candidate
10-20 years	Moderate wear	Good candidate
20-30 years	More significant wear	Evaluate carefully
Over 30 years	Varies widely	Depends on condition

Past repairs:

First-time settling: Good repair candidate
Previously leveled: May still be good, depends on when/why
Multiple repair attempts: Underlying issues may need addressing

Factor 5: Drainage and Soil Issues

The underlying cause of settling matters.

Repair Is Viable When:

Settling caused by normal soil compaction
Water infiltration from surface (can be addressed with caulking)
Localized voids that can be filled
Downspout drainage can be redirected

Replacement May Be Needed When:

Active underground water flow
Severe soil problems (deep organic material)
Settling keeps recurring despite repairs
Need to excavate and address sub-base

The Cost Comparison

Let’s look at real numbers for a typical 2-car driveway (roughly 400 sq ft):

Leveling/Repair Costs:

Service	Cost Range
Concrete leveling	$800 - $2,000
Crack repair/caulking	$150 - $400
Sealing (optional)	$200 - $400
Total repair	$800 - $2,800

Replacement Costs:

Item	Cost Range
Tear out existing	$800 - $1,500
Haul away debris	$200 - $400
New concrete (labor + material)	$3,200 - $4,800
Total replacement	$4,200 - $6,700

Savings with repair: $2,400 - $4,900

Beyond Cost: Other Considerations

Timeline

Option	Timeline
Leveling	2-4 hours, drive same/next day
Replacement	2-5 days, wait 7+ days before driving

Disruption

Leveling:

Minimal mess
No heavy equipment
No landscaping damage
No removal of cars for extended time

Replacement:

Significant mess/debris
Heavy equipment access needed
Potential landscape damage
Driveway unusable for over a week

Environmental Impact

Leveling:

Uses natural limestone
No demolition waste
Minimal carbon footprint

Replacement:

Demolition debris to landfill
New concrete production (high carbon)
Trucking and equipment fuel

The Decision Framework

Use this framework to guide your decision:

Choose Repair When:

✓ Concrete is structurally sound ✓ Settling is under 4 inches ✓ No severe cracking/breaking ✓ First or second time settling ✓ Budget is a significant factor ✓ Quick timeline is important ✓ Underlying issues can be addressed

Choose Replacement When:

✓ Concrete is deteriorating/crumbling ✓ Severe structural cracks throughout ✓ Slab broken into pieces ✓ Major soil issues require excavation ✓ Appearance is a priority (want fresh look) ✓ Planning to sell soon and want new concrete ✓ Adding to or changing driveway layout

When You’re Unsure:

Get a professional assessment. A reputable contractor should:

Honestly evaluate your driveway’s condition
Tell you if leveling won’t work
Explain the pros and cons of each option
Provide written estimates for both

Be cautious of contractors who only offer one solution—they may be steering you toward their preferred service regardless of what’s best for you.

Our Honest Approach

At Colorado Springs Leveling, we’ve told plenty of homeowners that their driveway isn’t a good candidate for leveling. Why? Because doing work that won’t last helps no one.

When you request an assessment, we’ll:

Thoroughly evaluate your driveway’s condition
Identify the likely causes of settling
Give you an honest recommendation
Provide repair pricing if leveling makes sense
Suggest replacement contractors if it doesn’t

We’d rather lose a job than have an unhappy customer with a failed repair.

Request your free assessment →

Questions to Ask Any Contractor

Whether you’re considering repair or replacement, ask:

What warranty do you offer?
What happens if the problem returns?
Can you show me similar projects?
Are you licensed and insured?
What causes you to recommend replacement vs. repair?

The answers will tell you a lot about who you’re working with.