Getting conflicting advice from contractors about my cracked concrete driveway so I dug into this myself. Sharing what I found for Ontario homeowners facing the same decision.
Types of Damage and What They Mean
Surface scaling (flaking/pitting from salt) = resurfaceable if base is solid
Hairline cracks under 1/4" = cosmetic, seal and resurface
Cracks wider than 1/4" = potential base failure, get it assessed
Heaving or sinking sections = base/frost issue, resurface won’t fix it
Ontario Context - Salt and Freeze-Thaw
Ontario driveways deal with extreme thermal cycling. Road salt (sodium chloride) is especially destructive to concrete - it lowers the freezing point of water that gets into cracks and accelerates spalling. If you haven’t already, switch to calcium magnesium acetate or just sand for traction.
Cost Comparison GTA 2026
Resurfacing (overlay): $3-6/sq ft = $1,500-$3,000 for 500 sq ft driveway
Full replacement: $8-15/sq ft = $4,000-$7,500 for 500 sq ft
Resurfacing lifespan: 8-15 years with proper maintenance
New concrete: 25-40 years with proper sealing and no salt
The Math
If your driveway has 15+ years of life in the base, resurfacing pencils out. If the base is compromised, you’ll resurface twice in 10 years and still end up replacing. Get 3 opinions.
Sealing
Penetrating sealer every 2-3 years is the single best maintenance investment for Ontario concrete. Do it in fall before freeze season.