Introduction
Cracked concrete driveways are one of the most common calls we get in Geelong. Winter ground movement, tree roots, and decades-old slabs all take a toll, and homeowners are usually left with the same question: do you patch the cracks, resurface the whole thing, or go straight to a full coating?
The right answer depends on how bad the cracking actually is, not just how it looks from the street.
Quick Answer
Hairline and surface cracks can usually be repaired and resurfaced. Structural cracks (wide, stepped, or moving) need the slab addressed before any coating goes down, since a coating over a moving crack will crack again within a year.
Not All Cracks Are the Same
Before deciding on a fix, it helps to know which category your driveway falls into:
| Crack Type | What It Looks Like | Typical Fix |
| Hairline cracks | Thin surface lines, no height difference either side | Fill and resurface |
| Shrinkage cracks | Straight cracks, often near slab joints, from normal curing | Fill and resurface |
| Stepped cracks | One side of the crack sits higher than the other | Structural assessment first |
| Active or widening cracks | Getting visibly wider over months, may reopen after filling | Structural assessment first |
Repair: When Patching Is Enough
If your driveway has isolated hairline or shrinkage cracks and the slab itself is stable, a straightforward crack repair is usually enough. This involves cleaning out the crack, filling it with a flexible polyurethane or epoxy filler, and levelling the surface. On its own, this buys time but leaves the driveway looking patched rather than restored.
Resurfacing: Fixing the Look, Not Just the Crack
Resurfacing goes a step further. After cracks are filled, a thin overlay or grind-and-recoat is applied across the whole driveway, so the repair blends in rather than standing out as a visible patch. This works well for driveways with scattered surface cracking and general wear, but the existing slab still needs to be structurally sound for resurfacing to hold.
Full Coating: The Long-Term Fix
A full concrete coating (epoxy or polyaspartic) goes over the entire prepared surface after cracks are repaired and the slab is properly ground back. This is the option that gives the most uniform finish and the longest lifespan, because it isn’t just addressing the cracks, it’s rebuilding a durable wear layer across the whole driveway.
See our Epoxy Flooring Geelong page for finish options, or check our 2026 Epoxy Flooring Price Guide for what a full driveway coating typically costs.
When a Crack Means More Than Just a Crack
⚠️ Stepped cracks, cracks that keep widening, or cracks running the full width of the slab can point to ground movement or a settling issue underneath. Coating or resurfacing over a crack like this without addressing the cause almost always means the crack comes back within a year.
If your driveway shows any of these signs, it’s worth getting the slab properly assessed before spending money on a cosmetic fix.
What Affects the Decision
- Age of the slab — older concrete has usually absorbed more ground movement and may have more cracks forming under the surface than are visible
- Tree roots nearby — a common cause of stepped cracking in older Geelong streets with established trees close to the driveway
- How the driveway is used — heavier vehicles and daily use accelerate wear around existing crack lines
- Drainage and slope — water pooling near a crack speeds up further damage underneath
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you just fill a driveway crack without resurfacing the whole thing?
Yes, for isolated hairline cracks this is a reasonable short-term option. It won’t match the surrounding concrete visually, but it stops the crack from worsening.
Will a coating hide existing driveway cracks?
A coating can hide hairline cracks once they’re properly filled and the surface is ground back. It will not hide, and will not survive over, a crack that’s still moving.
How do I know if my driveway crack is structural?
Look for a visible step or height difference across the crack, a crack that runs the full width or length of the slab, or one that’s visibly gotten wider over a few months. Any of these are worth having assessed before doing cosmetic work.
Is it cheaper to repair cracks or replace the driveway?
Repair, resurfacing, and coating are all significantly cheaper than a full concrete replacement, and cover the vast majority of cracked driveways we see. Full replacement is usually only necessary where the slab has failed structurally.
Not Sure Which Fix Your Driveway Needs?
Send us a photo of the cracking and we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s a repair, a resurface, or something that needs a closer look first.