Is it Cheaper to replace or repair concrete?

When concrete damage is limited and the structure remains intact, repair can be a cost effective solution. This is common in residential garages where slab lengths typically range from eighteen to twenty four feet and thickness is between four and six inches. In these cases damage usually appears as isolated cracking near control joints, surface wear from tire traffic, or minor spalling caused by repeated freeze thaw cycles.

For example, a single car garage measuring approximately twelve by twenty feet may develop a narrow crack running from the garage door toward the back wall. If the crack is stable and shows no vertical movement, it can be repaired through professional crack injection to restore integrity or prevent water infiltration without removing the entire slab.

Another common scenario is deterioration near the garage entrance. This area often experiences the highest exposure to water and deicing salts. In many residential garages the affected section is limited to the first three to five feet of the slab. Repairing only this zone can resolve the issue without the cost and disruption of full replacement.

Surface resurfacing and protective coatings are effective when concrete has worn evenly over time but remains level and structurally sound. A typical double garage measuring twenty by twenty feet may show surface scaling after years of use while still resting on a stable base. In these cases resurfacing can extend the life of the slab by sealing it against moisture and salt penetration.

These repair methods are only effective when the underlying base is stable and movement is not ongoing. When cracking is caused by soil settlement or structural failure, surface level repairs will not hold.