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Tips For Maintaining Your Concrete Driveway
by TRP Ready Mix on March 16, 2018
Advice from Concrete Contractors to Extend Driveway Life and Durability
Although concrete driveways are durable, they still need care ever so often. And new driveways need extra care to maintain their appearance for years to come.
Driveways experience a lot of traffic. They are often the first thing people notice about a home. To protect your investment and boost curb appeal, keep an eye on your driveway’s condition.
Contact your concrete contractor for repairs. And follow these maintenance tips to keep your driveway in great condition.
Clean
It’s important to remove stains from your driveway immediately. These include oil, gasoline, grease, radiator fluid, and other spills. Common methods to clean driveway stains include using:
- Non-clumping cat litter to absorb fresh oil;
- Warm water and grease-cutting dish soap or detergent;
- Grease-cutting biodegradable cleaners;
- A regular scrub brush; and,
- A pressure washer.
Do not use a wire brush to scrub the stains since it will damage the concrete’s surface.
Reseal
To protect the concrete, reseal your driveway every two years or when the sealer starts to show wear. You can buy quality concrete sealers from home repair stores. Or, ask your concrete contractor to reseal your driveway.
Sealer protects concrete by:
- Repelling water;
- Preventing dirt and dust accumulation;
- Protect the concrete from abrasion; and,
- Protecting concrete from UV damage.
Prevent Cracks
Along with resealing, you can also prevent cracks by trimming nearby tree roots. These roots may damage your concrete driveway, causing severe cracking if left untouched.
Also, heavy vehicles can cause cracking, especially along the edges of driveways. So park in the centre of your driveway. And if you have any visitors with heavy vehicles, ask them to park on the road instead.
Fill Cracks
The moment you notice a crack or hole in your driveway, patch it. This will prevent the damage from spreading and save you time and money in the future.
Use a masonry chisel to remove the broken pieces, and brush away any debris. Then apply a crack filler and a patching compound so it is flush with the rest of your driveway. Once dried, apply a sealer to your entire driveway.
Keep Water Away
Create a water-runoff trench around your driveway to prevent water buildup. This can be two- or three-inches wide along the edges. Also, keep your downspouts directed away from your driveway. Downspouts should also be a good distance from your home.
Although sealed driveways repel water, driveways can become saturated over time. Saturation is harmful in the winter when water freezes, expands, and cracks concrete.
Avoid De-Icing Chemicals
Salt and other de-icing chemicals penetrate concrete surfaces and aid in winter cracking. So opt to use a snow blower or a shovel to clear your driveway. And apply slip-resistant traction with sand, kitty litter, coffee grounds, or alfalfa meal.
Plow & Shovel with Care
While plowing your driveway, lift the blade high enough so it won’t scrape the concrete surface. Also, use a plastic shovel on uneven surfaces to avoid damaging the driveway.
Extend the life of your driveway with these maintenance tips from concrete contractors.
