Top 7 Signs Your Concrete Needs Attention Before It’s Too Late

Most folks think concrete is just one of those “set it and forget it” things. Pour it, let it dry, and it’ll be there until the end of time. And sure, it’s tough—way tougher than wood or asphalt—but it’s not bulletproof.

Here in Perris, CA, concrete takes a daily beating. We’ve got blazing summers, the occasional hard rain that dumps an entire week’s worth of water in a couple hours, and soil that acts like it has mood swings—expanding when it’s wet, shrinking when it’s dry. Even the best slab can start showing its age under those conditions.

The trick? Don’t wait until your driveway, patio, or walkway looks like it belongs in a disaster movie. The difference between a $300 fix and a $3,000 replacement is usually just how soon you deal with it.

I’ve been on jobs where we saved people thousands just by catching something early. I’ve also seen the other side—where someone waited “one more season” and it ended up costing way more than it should have.

So, here’s your quick guide to spotting trouble before it takes over.

1. Cracks That Aren’t Staying Put

Every concrete slab will eventually get a little hairline crack or two. That’s just part of life. But when you notice that crack getting wider, deeper, or branching out into others, that’s when it’s time to pay attention.

In Perris, the usual culprits are:

• Clay soil swelling and shrinking with the weather

• Tree roots creeping underneath

• Water sneaking in, then expanding

Once water gets in, it’s like an open invitation for more damage. That tiny crack can double in size after just one heavy rain if the soil moves.

2. Slabs That Have Gone Out of Alignment

You ever walk across a driveway and feel like you just stepped on a low curb? That’s uneven concrete. And no, it’s not “just ugly”—it’s a trip hazard and a drainage nightmare.

This usually happens because:

• The soil wasn’t packed right before pouring

• Water washed away the dirt underneath

• Plumbing or irrigation leaks softened the ground

If the low spot is close to your house, you could also be inviting water toward your foundation, which is a whole other headache you don’t want.

3. Water That Stays Put

We’ve all seen it—those little puddles that show up after a rain and don’t go away until the sun decides to bake them off.

Why it’s bad:

• Water seeps in, freezes during rare cold snaps, and cracks the surface

• It causes flaking, or “spalling,” over time

• It can attract mildew and bugs

In Perris, we don’t get a ton of rain, but when we do, it can be fast and heavy. That quick rush of water finds every low spot, and the longer it sits there, the more damage it does.

4. Flaking or Chipping (a.k.a. Spalling)

If you run your hand across your concrete and it feels rough, with little chips or flakes coming off, that’s spalling.

What causes it:

• Water penetration followed by expansion in heat or cold

• A weak concrete mix when it was poured

• Years without sealing

It starts out looking cosmetic, but once that top layer is compromised, the slab will wear down much faster.

5. Stains That Aren’t Just Dirt

Some stains are harmless; others are like a warning light on your dashboard.

Watch for:

• Rusty-colored spots—could mean the steel reinforcement inside is corroding

• Deep oil or chemical stains—these can eat away at the concrete’s surface layer

If you’ve cleaned it and the mark keeps coming back (or spreading), there’s a good chance the problem is deeper than just the surface.

6. Gaps Along the Edges or Between Sections

Concrete expands and contracts with the weather, which is why we put in expansion joints. But when those gaps start looking like small canyons, that’s a sign the slab is moving more than it should.

The danger?

• Weeds grow in the gaps and break it apart faster

• Water gets in and erodes the base

• Dirt fills the space and holds moisture against the slab

7. That Constant Layer of Dust

If you’re sweeping your patio, garage, or driveway constantly and still see a fine powder every time you look, your concrete might be dusting.

This usually means:

• The top layer is wearing away

• The concrete wasn’t cured properly

• Heavy use or harsh cleaning has worn it thin

Once the protective surface is gone, the whole slab is more vulnerable.

Why Jumping on Repairs Early Matters

Concrete problems don’t “just stop” on their own. A crack grows. A low spot sinks deeper. Water damage spreads.

If you catch it early, you might be able to:

• Resurface instead of replace

• Patch a crack before it becomes a break

• Re-level a slab without tearing the whole thing out

Wait too long, and you’ll be looking at a full replacement—more cost, more mess, and more downtime for your space.

A Real Perris Example

Last year, we had a homeowner call about “a couple little cracks” in their driveway. They figured they’d get them filled “whenever.”

When we got there, we realized those cracks were from an irrigation leak that had been washing out the soil underneath. Give it another rainy season, and half the driveway would have been history.

Instead, we fixed the leak, rebuilt the base, resurfaced the slab, and sealed it up. The whole job was done in days—and cost a fraction of what it could have.

How to Keep Concrete in Good Shape

You don’t have to be obsessive—just consistent:

• Seal every 2–3 years for driveways and high-traffic spots

• Fix drainage problems before water can pool

• Clean gently—skip metal tools or strong acids

• Do a twice-a-year walkaround to spot changes early

For extra tips, check out Concrete Network’s guide to concrete maintenance—it’s full of practical advice you can use.

Why Perris Homeowners Call HBT Concrete

We live here, we work here, and we know exactly what Perris weather and soil can do to concrete. We’re not here to push you into a replacement if you don’t need one. Our goal is to give you straight answers and a fix that will actually last.

Bottom Line

If you’re seeing cracks, sinking, standing water, or chipping, don’t wait for it to get worse. The sooner you act, the more money (and stress) you save.

📞 Call HBT Concrete today for a no-pressure inspection. We’ll tell you exactly what’s going on and give you the best options to fix it—without the sales pitch.