What Is Street Creep

What is Street Creep?

You may have heard someone down the street talking about how they think they may have some ‘street creep’ going on in their driveway. As funny as it sounds, it is a real thing. 

Street Creep happens when concrete roadways expand and contract, which in turn push against your driveway. When the concrete roadway pads push against your driveway, it can cause your driveway to crack, sink, or shift toward your house. 

How do Concrete Streets Shift?

Fluctuations of temperature can cause concrete to expand and contract during the changes of the seasons. As this happens it allows sand, salt, and other debris to work their way into the joints between concrete pads. Then as it expands, the pads will push against each other. These shifts can be just fractions of an inch at a time, but over a few years it can add up to several inches. Over time this is how a street can creep toward your driveway, and push the pads on your driveway against each other. If your driveway is at the end of a cul-de-sac, on a curve of a street, or at a T in the road, it can increase the effects of street creep. 

How Can I Identify a Potential Street Creep Problem?

The easiest tells of street creep usually start where your driveway meets the street. This is the part of your driveway that will begin to push first. If you notice cracks at the edge or corners of your driveway, then it is possible the street has pushed against that driveway pad. However, it is a slow process that gets worse over time. For this reason it is important to inspect areas of your driveway closer to your garage. Cracking of your driveway around your garage could be a sign that the street has pushed all of your driveway pads up toward your house. 

Get the Problem Properly Diagnosed and Fixed

Issues with driveways can often seem much scarier than they need to be. There are also scenarios where driveways can sink and settle, which will also cause cracks, and we specialize in repairing driveways that have settled. The purpose of this blog is simply to inform homeowners of telling signs that they may need to get a professional to take a look at their concrete. Most concrete repair companies offer free estimates. So if you think you have signs of street creep, or sinking concrete, call a local professional to come inspect your driveway. This could be the first step in saving yourself money in the future.