Why is my Driveway Sinking?

If you have noticed unevenness and tilting to your driveway, there are a few possible causes that could be at work. Generally speaking, however, it will either be an issue in the concrete itself or in the soil beneath it! 

Concrete Issues 

Concrete is an incredibly tough and strong material, which is why it is used in most construction projects today. It is also very easy to tailor to suit a situation. After all, it is simply a mix of cement, water, and sand. When the proportions of this mix are slightly off, however, the concrete can become unstable and prone to damage. This is primarily cosmetic damage like staining and flaking, but serious miscalculations can cause structural issues too. 

Likewise, improper construction methods can leave concrete driveways and sidewalks prone to tilting, sinking, and cracking. The most common mistakes are made during the curing process. They include disturbing the concrete once it has started to set, under-curing, or failing to cure concrete. This can all lead to a final product that is simply not as robust as it should be. 

Unstable Soil 

Unless your property is newly built, it is unlikely that new damage is being caused by defects in the concrete. While it is not unheard of for damage to present itself later, most defects will make themselves known pretty quickly. Unstable, loose, or otherwise damaged soil, however, can work on healthy structures for a long time before damage begins to show. The soil issues that are most likely to cause a sinking or uneven driveway are expansive soil and soil erosion. Expansive soils are those that are highly reactive to water. By growing and shrinking depending on their level of saturation, expansive soils can cause a lot of issues for any structure that rests on them as a result of constant change. Soil erosion and washout soil, by contrast, damage surfaces by gradually removing support from beneath them.