Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Sinking driveway
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BDiaz
01-19-06, 08:59 AM
Part of my driveway is sinking in. The prior owners tried to fix it by pouring new asphalt over it but obviously that wasn't a permanent fix. Does anyone know what's causing the sinking and how to fix it once and for all?
Pecos
01-22-06, 01:51 PM
We'd have to see it to determine what's causing it to sink, but some likely causes are:
1) improperly compacted base under the slab and subsequent settling, such as trenches where sewer lines, etc. may run under it. Also, pouring atop fresh, improperly compacted fill dirt.
2) Erosion caused by a broken water line, sewer line, sprinkler system, downspouts, etc. (the downspouts would be most likely, the others are a long shot).
As to the fix, the asphalt thing was a mistake. A better solution would have been mudjacking after identifying the problem. This would have stabilized the soil to some degree and raised the sunken slab up level with the rest of it. There are mudjackers/slabjackers in most yellow ages I've seen. Usually under the headings of concrete contractors or concrete repair. The other best option would be to tear out and replace that section. That way you could see what is under it.
Pecos
1) improperly compacted base under the slab and subsequent settling, such as trenches where sewer lines, etc. may run under it. Also, pouring atop fresh, improperly compacted fill dirt.
2) Erosion caused by a broken water line, sewer line, sprinkler system, downspouts, etc. (the downspouts would be most likely, the others are a long shot).
As to the fix, the asphalt thing was a mistake. A better solution would have been mudjacking after identifying the problem. This would have stabilized the soil to some degree and raised the sunken slab up level with the rest of it. There are mudjackers/slabjackers in most yellow ages I've seen. Usually under the headings of concrete contractors or concrete repair. The other best option would be to tear out and replace that section. That way you could see what is under it.
Pecos