Repair or Replace Your Concrete Driveway? A Practical Guide for NWA Homeowners

Repair vs. Replace: Making the Right Call

A cracked driveway in your Bella Vista or Bentonville home doesn't automatically mean replacement. But it also doesn't automatically mean a patch and a prayer will get you another decade of service. The right answer depends on what's actually happening under and within the slab — and getting that diagnosis right saves you money either way.

At GNG Underground, we see every kind of concrete driveway condition across NWA. Here's the framework we use when homeowners ask us whether to repair or replace.

Signs You Can Repair (Not Replace)

**Small, isolated cracks.** Hairline cracks or narrow control-joint cracks that haven't widened significantly are prime repair candidates. A good crack filler and sealer can stop these from progressing for years.

**Surface scaling or spalling.** When the top surface of concrete flakes or pits, this is usually a curing or chemical issue (often deicing salt damage from someone who meant well in an ice storm). If it's limited to the surface and the slab beneath is structurally sound, resurfacing or a concrete overlay is a legitimate repair option.

**One or two isolated settled sections.** If a single panel has dropped slightly at a control joint, mudjacking (pumping grout underneath to lift it) can often stabilize it at a fraction of replacement cost — provided the concrete itself is in good condition.

Signs It's Time to Replace

**Widespread cracking (more than 25–30% of the surface).** When cracks have spread throughout the driveway rather than appearing in isolated sections, the underlying problem is typically the base — and no surface repair fixes a bad base.

**Crumbling or deteriorating concrete.** If you're finding chunks, aggregate exposure throughout, or concrete that's crumbling at the edges, the slab has reached the end of its useful life. Patches don't adhere well to concrete in this condition.

**Significant heaving or settlement.** A driveway that has heaved dramatically, has multiple high-low panels, or shows evidence of major soil movement underneath is signaling a base failure. Mudjacking can address minor settling, but significant heaving usually means the subgrade has failed — and you need a new base and new concrete.

**Cracks running through the full depth.** Full-depth cracks — often visible because one side is higher than the other — indicate structural failure, not just surface wear. These can't be patched in a way that restores structural integrity.

**Cracks near the foundation or garage apron.** Cracks in the apron directly adjacent to your garage door threshold or foundation concern us more than cracks in the field of the driveway. These areas affect how water drains near the structure.

The Cost Comparison

Repair costs in NWA vary by scope:

• Crack filling: $3–$8 per linear foot
• Concrete resurfacing: $3–$6 per square foot
• Mudjacking a settled panel: $300–$800 per panel

Full driveway replacement typically runs $6–$12 per square foot installed in NWA, depending on base conditions, access, and demolition complexity.

If you're spending repair money equal to more than 30–40% of replacement cost on a driveway that's already older than 20 years, replacement is usually the smarter long-term investment.

Get an Honest Opinion

GNG Underground offers free assessments for NWA homeowners. We'll look at your driveway, tell you honestly what we see, and give you options — not just the most expensive path forward. We serve Bella Vista, Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville, Centerton, and all of NWA. Give us a call.