Nationally, fixing driveway cracks costs $100 to $400 and bigger repairs cost $600 to $3,000. Around Vancouver, water is behind most repair calls: it softens the soil, washes fines out from under slabs and feeds the moss that hides the damage.
The price ranges on this page are national figures that HomeGuide published for 2026. They are not quotes from us. Labor rates, ready-mix prices, access to the yard and how wet or sloped the ground is all move a Clark County job up or down. Last checked October 2026.
How much does concrete repair cost?
National concrete repair cost is $100 to $400 for driveway cracks and $600 to $3,000 for major repairs or resurfacing. By unit, patching is $3 to $8 per square foot and crack repair is $0.50 to $3 per linear foot.
| Repair | National cost |
|---|---|
| Crack repair | $0.50 to $3 per linear foot |
| Patching | $3 to $8 per sq ft |
| Resurfacing | $3 to $7 per sq ft |
| Decorative overlay | $6 to $20 per sq ft |
| Leveling | $3 to $12 per sq ft |
| Mudjacking | $4 to $9 per sq ft |
| Foam lifting | $8 to $25 per sq ft |
Can cracked concrete be repaired or does it have to be replaced?
Cracked concrete can be repaired when both sides of the crack sit at the same height and the slab does not move when you step on it. That kind of crack is cleaned and sealed so rain stays out. When one side is higher, the slab rocks, or it has broken into many pieces, the ground under it has failed. That part is cut out and poured again on a new rock base.
Why is my concrete driveway cracking?
Most driveways in this area crack because the ground under them got wet and soft, or was never compacted. Seven months of rain a year will find any weak spot in the base. Other causes are joints spaced too far apart, a slab under 4 inches, no steel, roots from fir and maple trees, and a downspout that empties beside the slab. Hairline shrinkage cracks are different. They show up in the first weeks and are mostly cosmetic.
Why is my concrete sinking, and can it be leveled?
Concrete sinks when the soil under it compresses or washes away. Here the common causes are loose fill beside a foundation, a gutter or drain leaking under the slab, and silty soil that goes soft every winter. A slab that is still in one or two solid pieces can usually be leveled by pumping material under it. The water problem has to be fixed too, or it will go down again.
How much does concrete leveling cost?
National leveling cost is $3 to $12 per square foot, and a typical job is $700 to $5,000. Contractors have a minimum job fee of $300 to $700, so one small panel does not cost much less than two.
Mudjacking or foam: which is better?
Neither is better everywhere. Mudjacking pumps a cement and soil slurry through holes about the width of a golf ball, and costs $4 to $9 per square foot nationally. Foam uses smaller holes and a light material that does not soak up water, and costs $8 to $25 per square foot. On wet, soft ground the lighter foam adds less load, which can matter. On firm ground with a simple void, mud does the job for less.
Is foam lifting a permanent fix or will the slab drop again?
Foam is a permanent fix only if the reason the slab sank is also dealt with. The foam itself does not rot or wash out. The soil below it can still move if a downspout keeps soaking it or the fill keeps settling. Ask the lifting contractor what caused the drop and what stops it, and get the warranty in writing.
Can concrete be resurfaced instead of replaced? How long will a resurfaced old patio last?
Yes, concrete can be resurfaced instead of replaced when the slab is solid and only the top is worn. Resurfacing costs $3 to $7 per square foot nationally, a decorative overlay costs $6 to $20, and a two-car driveway is $1,200 to $2,900. On an old patio with cracks and flaking, resurfacing will last only as long as the slab under it stays still and dry. Moving cracks come back through the new surface. Nobody can honestly promise a number of years.
Why is my concrete spalling or flaking, and can a flaking surface be repaired?
Spalling or flaking happens when the top layer is weaker than the rest and water gets into it. Typical causes are water added at the finish, finishing while the surface was still wet, rain on the pour, no air entrainment, and deicing salt followed by a freeze. Light flaking can be repaired by grinding off the loose layer and applying a bonded resurfacer. Deep, widespread flaking means the top inch is poor and replacement is the lasting answer.
Why is my driveway lifting or heaving?
In this area, tree roots are the usual reason a driveway is lifting or heaving. Douglas fir, maple and other large trees push panels up from below. Frost is a smaller factor, since the ground freezes only for short spells. The fix is to remove the lifted section, deal with the root with an arborist's advice, and pour back with room for the tree.
How do I fix a sunken walkway that is a trip hazard? Can a raised edge be ground down?
A sunken walkway that has become a trip hazard is fixed by lifting it, grinding the lip or replacing the panel. A raised edge can be ground down when the step is small and the panel is solid. Grinding leaves a rough, lighter strip. For public sidewalks, the City of Vancouver treats a vertical separation of more than half an inch as a defect, and the abutting owner must repair it under Vancouver Municipal Code 11.30.
Can a wide crack be patched, or will the patch pop out?
A patch in a wide crack stays put only if the crack has stopped moving. A rigid patch in a crack that opens and closes with the seasons will break loose. For a moving crack we use a flexible sealant made for concrete, which keeps water out and stretches. If the crack is wide because the slab has dropped, patching is the wrong repair.
Can you pour new concrete over old concrete?
You can pour over old concrete, but it is rarely the best choice outdoors. The new layer needs at least a couple of inches of thickness, which raises the surface and can block a door or garage threshold. Every crack and joint below tends to show through in time. It only makes sense when the old slab is sound, well drained and has height to spare.
The real number for your property comes from a free visit with a tape measure. Call (360) 995-1179 or text us a photo of the area.