Your First 48 Hours After Finding a Failing Driveway

You walked out and saw it. The slab is cracked through, sunken, or lifted. It is stressful, but you do not need to solve everything today. This checklist gives you a calm order of steps for the next two days.

The goal is simple. Stay safe, write down what you see, and get ready to compare a few estimates for new concrete. Nothing here commits you to anything.

Hour one: make the area safe

Start with safety. Look for raised edges, sharp breaks and holes where a foot or a wheel could catch.

• Mark trip spots with bright tape or a cone.
• Keep children and pets off the damaged section.
• Park where the vehicle does not sit on a sunken or cracked part.
• Clear snow or debris gently, without prying at broken edges.

If water is pooling against your house wall or flowing toward the basement, move to drainage in the next section. That matters more than the slab.

Day one: look, photograph and measure

Take your time and write things down. Clear notes make later conversations easier.

• Take wide photos from the street and close photos of each crack or sunken spot.
• Photograph the edge where the driveway meets the garage and the street.
• Measure length and width. Multiply to get a rough square footage.
• Note which way water runs during rain or melting snow.
• Write down when you first noticed the damage and anything that changed.

Also check for clues about the cause. Look for gutters or downspouts that empty onto the drive, low spots where water sits, and tree roots nearby.

Day one: check drainage near the house

Many homes in the Detroit area have full basements with sump pumps. Water that runs toward the foundation can make a wet basement worse.

• Make sure downspouts carry water away from the house and the slab.
• Look at whether the driveway slopes toward the garage or foundation.
• Check that your sump pump discharge is not draining onto the damaged area and washing out the soil.

A contractor can build a new driveway with better slope, but only if they know about the problem. Share your notes.

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Day two: gather what a contractor will ask

Collect the basics in one place:

• Your photos and measurements.
• Whether you want the old slab removed and replaced.
• Any plans for a wider drive, a new shape or a different finish.
• The vehicles that use it, including trailers or work trucks.
• Whether there is a street apron or curb cut involved.
• Any homeowners association or local rules you know of.

If you are unsure about permits, say so. Ask each contractor how they handle them. Do not guess or sign anything that makes you feel rushed.

Day two: prepare to compare

Try to gather more than one estimate for new concrete. Different contractors may suggest different approaches, such as thicker concrete, added steel or a deeper base. That is useful. It helps you see your options.

Ask each one to put these in writing:

• The full scope of work and square footage.
• Removal and hauling of the old slab.
• Base and grading details.
• Thickness and any steel.
• Permit handling.
• Payment steps and start window.
• Warranty terms.

Then set the estimates side by side. Differences in scope often explain differences in price.

What to avoid in the first two days

• Do not agree to a job because someone says the price is only good today.
• Do not pay a large amount before you have a written scope.
• Do not let anyone pour over a cracked slab without explaining why that would hold.
• Do not skip drainage. A new slab on the same wet ground can fail the same way.

When you can stop

By the end of day two, you do not need a decision. You need photos, measurements, notes and a plan to compare. That is a solid start. The rest can move at your pace.

Request Service

Related guides

• What Changes the Price of a Concrete Driveway in Detroit
• How Detroit Winters, Storms and Spring Water Affect Concrete
• Concrete Driveways