Concrete Cracks

The author of this blog is a 30 year concrete producing veteran. There isn't much about concrete that he doesn't know. So here is a news flash for the less educated, CONCRETE CRACKS. Yes, concrete will crack often within 24 hours after it is poured, placed, and finished. Concrete cracks are usually controlled by manually putting joints in by using a hand jointer, sawing, or putting in control joints. This allows the concrete to crack without leaving the unsightly erratic jagged cracks that most home owners despise.
Now concrete is the best building material known to mankind. Many driveways in the world are made of concrete. If the driveways were properly installed they would have been cured and sealed. Sealing the surface of the concrete helps keep moisture from entering the capillaries and expanding during freeze-thaw periods in the northern climates. Thus keeping the concrete from spalling. It may become necessary over time to re-seal the concrete to keep it protected from climatic conditions. You can find these products at most home improvement stores.
Now should cracks appear in your driveway or sidewalk, you can repair them by filling them with crack filler. Be careful though, some crack fillers are asphalt based. Try to use a silicone based product for concrete driveways. It doesn't cause unsightly black marks, and it will keep it's shape when the concrete expands and contracts. I suggest using some sand to fill the crack within a half inch of the top of the crack, so you can save on the amount of filler that you need. Sand should be cheaper than the crack filler itself. Plus, some crack fillers can be colored, so if you are fortunate to have a colored concrete driveway, you can match the color.