Not every cracked or damaged slab needs to be torn out. And not every damaged slab should be patched and called done. The honest answer depends on what caused the problem and how far it has progressed. Spalling — the surface flaking that exposes aggregate — can be cosmetic when shallow and limited, but usually indicates a deeper problem when widespread. Wide structural cracks, heaved sections, and slabs that have dropped due to base failure need replacement, not patching. Southern Utah's heat accelerates surface degradation, and concrete that was placed poorly with too much water in the mix will spall faster in St. George's climate than in cooler regions.
The problems we see most often in St. George are missing or improperly placed control joints (which forces cracks to appear randomly rather than where you want them), inadequate base compaction before the original pour, and concrete placed during peak summer heat without proper curing precautions. We diagnose the cause before recommending a solution. If patching is the right answer, we'll say so. If the concrete needs to come out, we'll explain why and give you a clear price on the replacement.