Last Updated: November 6, 2026
Quick Summary
Clean the pitted concrete driveway thoroughly, then grind the surface and remove loose material, first deciding whether the damage is shallow pitting or deeper spalling. Fill cracks, patch pits with a mixed compound applied in layers, feather the edges, and cure before sealing. Deep spalling or structural damage needs a professional assessment.
Pitted concrete driveways are common, and most surface pitting is fixable at home or by a professional. The harder question is whether the damage is only cosmetic or a sign of something deeper. Getting that call right saves money and avoids repairs that fail within a year.
Start with a simple test. Press a screwdriver or a coin edge into the damaged area. If the surface crumbles only a few millimetres, you are likely dealing with pitting. If the concrete breaks away in chunks or exposes steel reinforcement, the problem is deeper. Tap the surface with a hammer as well: a hollow, drum-like sound signals a delaminated layer that will detach under traffic.
Rather than treating every pit the same, sort the damage into one of three tiers. The tier determines which repair method is appropriate and whether a surface repair will hold.
Tier 1, Cosmetic pitting. Small, shallow holes typically under 10 mm deep, with solid, hard concrete beneath. The surface may look speckled or rough, but there is no hollow sound under tapping and no loose edges. This is the classic candidate for patching compound or a thin resurfacer.
Tier 2, Widespread surface wear or shallow spalling. Pits and flakes across a large area, often 10 to 25 mm deep, with some hollow-sounding edges but no exposed reinforcement. Patching individual pits here tends to look uneven and fail at the edges, so a full resurfacing is usually the better call.
Tier 3, Deep spalling or structural damage. Craters deeper than 25 mm, concrete breaking away in chunks, exposed steel mesh or bar, or cracks wider than 5 mm that show uneven sinking or separation. A surface patch alone will not hold at this tier. Get a professional assessment before buying any product, because resurfacing over a failed base is money wasted.
Pitting happens when the top layer of concrete wears away and leaves small holes. Several factors drive it:
Hot, dry summers can make the sun-and-heat problem worse. In regions that see frost, salt exposure can be a bigger driver: rock salt and some deicers draw moisture into the concrete and accelerate scaling at the surface. If you use deicing salts, sweep up residue rather than washing it into the joints, and consider a salt-resistant sealer.
Spalling is more serious. It means flakes or sections of concrete break off, often because water got inside, froze, or expanded. Here is how to tell them apart:
If you find spalling or structural cracks, a surface patch alone will not hold. Get a professional assessment before you buy any product. The tier you land in should drive every decision that follows, product choice, preparation effort, and whether to resurface or replace.
Clean surfaces are the difference between a repair that lasts and one that peels in six months. Most DIY failures come from skipping this step.
Here is the basic preparation sequence:
A common mistake is washing and repairing the same day. Trapped moisture stops the repair product from bonding properly. In Perth's warmer months, a full dry day is usually enough.
For a closer look at what cleaning involves, see our pressure cleaning cost Perth 2026 pricing guide. Pricing depends on the size and condition of your driveway, so request a quote from Spray Pave Pro for current prices.
Before you fill anything, remove every loose particle. Patch material will only bond to sound concrete.
Tap the surface with a hammer and mark any section that sounds hollow. Chip out the loose pieces with a cold chisel. Then grind the surface to open the pores of the existing concrete. This roughening step is what gives the new material something to grip.
Wear a dust mask and eye protection, because grinding throws off a lot of fine silica dust.
Watch out: Do not grind a driveway down so far that you expose the steel mesh. Once reinforcement is showing, the patch will not protect it from rust.
This is where the repair actually happens. Work in small sections so the material does not dry before you can smooth it. For a more detailed step-by-step guide to crack repair, see Repairing Cracks in Spray-On Concrete: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Step 1: Fill the cracks first. Use a flexible crack filler for cracks wider than 3 mm. Press it deep into the crack and level it with the surface.
Step 2: Dampen the surface. Lightly mist the area with water so it is damp but not wet. This helps the patch bond. Standing water will dilute the patch and weaken it, so blot any pools before proceeding.
Step 3: Mix the patching compound. Follow the manufacturer's ratio exactly. Mixing too much water weakens the final patch.
Step 4: Press the compound into the pits. Work it in with a trowel, then smooth it so it sits flush with the surrounding surface.
Step 5: Feather the edges. Blend the patch outward so there is no visible ridge. A ridge catches tyres and water and is the first place a patch fails.
Step 6: Cure the patch. Keep it damp for the first day if possible. Avoid vehicle traffic until it reaches the cure time on the product label, which is often 3 to 7 days.
Most patch failures trace back to ignoring the numbers on the label. These are the specifications to check before you buy and again before you apply:
Coverage: Measure the area and depth of the pits before buying, as coverage depends on pit depth.
Curing conditions: Direct sun, wind, and rain all damage fresh patches. Cover with damp hessian or plastic sheeting if rain is forecast, and mist the patch in hot weather to slow drying.
Watch out: Do not add extra water to make a stiff mix easier to trowel. It feels easier but cuts the final strength and is the single most common cause of a patch that crumbles within a season.
Foot traffic should wait until the patch is firm enough not to take a footprint. Vehicle traffic should wait for the full cure time on the product label. Protect fresh repairs from rain for the first 24 hours and from freezing for the first 48 hours. If you must drive on it sooner, place plywood over the repair and avoid turning the wheels on it.
If the pitting covers most of the surface rather than isolated pits, resurfacing is usually a better choice than patching, which can be slower and look uneven across a whole driveway.
Not every driveway needs the same fix. The right choice depends on how much of the surface is damaged.
| Option | Best for | Typical lifespan | Relative effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patching compound | Scattered pits, small holes | 1 to 3 years | Low |
| Resurfacing | Widespread pitting, worn surface | 5 to 10 years | Medium |
| Full replacement | Structural damage, major cracks | 25+ years | High |
If the pitting covers most of the surface, patching alone will look uneven. Resurfacing gives a uniform finish. If you are considering this step, our guide on whether concrete resurfacing is worth it for old driveways walks through the costs and trade-offs in more detail.
Patching works well when damage is isolated. Resurfacing suits driveways that are structurally sound but worn across the whole surface. Replacement is only worth it when the base itself has failed.
A sealer protects the repair and reduces future pitting. Wait until the patch has fully cured before applying one. Sealing too early traps moisture underneath.
Penetrating sealers soak into the concrete and resist water and oil. Film-forming sealers sit on top and add a glossy finish. Check the product label to confirm which type suits your surface.
Check the label for compatibility with your patching product before buying. Some sealers do not bond well over certain compounds.
Prevention matters as much as repair. Keep oil spills cleaned up quickly and avoid harsh acid cleaners. If you want a professional to handle sealing, look for a provider who explains the product they use and how long it should last. Our professional driveway sealing services guide covers what to ask before you book.
If the damage looks deeper than surface pitting, or if you would rather not do the work yourself, a professional assessment is a sensible next step. Spray Pave Pro offers concrete resurfacing and related services in Perth, and our team can look at your driveway, explain what is causing the damage and suggest a repair that fits your budget. Get a free quote today to discuss the option that suits your driveway.
Pitting usually starts when the cement paste on the surface breaks down and small aggregate particles loosen and fall away. Common causes include repeated freeze-thaw cycles, deicing salts, water pooling in low spots, abrasion from tyres and heavy traffic, and a poorly finished or under-cured slab. In Perth's climate the main drivers are hot sun, sprinkler overspray, salt from coastal air and heavy rain runoff. Early detection keeps repairs shallow and inexpensive.
Small, shallow pits can sometimes be repaired by a DIYer once the surface is cleaned and loose material is removed, following the product label. Large areas, deep spalling or cracks wider than a few millimetres are harder to get right and often need professional grinding and resurfacing. Spray Pave Pro can assess your driveway and advise which approach suits it.
Drying times vary with product, temperature and humidity. Drying and cure times vary with the product, temperature and humidity. Epoxy and polyurethane systems still need manufacturer-specified intervals before vehicles are driven over them. Ask your installer for the exact timeline for your product and conditions before booking the driveway out of use.
Call a professional when pitting covers a large proportion of the driveway, when spalling exposes reinforcement or the concrete sounds hollow when tapped, when there is movement or cracking that suggests the slab is failing, or when you want the surface to look uniform after repair. A professional can also advise on the right product for vehicle loads and climate. Request a free quote from Spray Pave Pro to discuss your driveway.
