How to Maintain Your Home’s Concrete Driveway
Concrete driveways are aesthetic, durable, and add value to the home. Even so, they’ll need occasional care and maintenance to prolong their lifespan. As a homeowner, there are some simple yet very effective things you can do to keep your driveway in good shape long-term.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Sweep the driveway regularly. Doing so removes dust, debris, and small pebbles that could damage the concrete over time. It’s also a good idea to keep the grass near the driveway cut short. If weeds are allowed to grow too close to the driveway, their roots could cause damage. Furthermore, as you mow and sweep, be on the lookout for small cracks. These will get worse if not fixed right away. A cement-based product with polymer modifiers is ideal for small surface cracks while a sealant is best for large cracks.
Chemical Removal and Power Washing
Chemicals can wreak havoc on your concrete driveway. Avoid using de-salting and de-icing products in the winter as they can cause deep cracks in your concrete driveway. If oil or gas spills onto the driveway, clean it up immediately. In some cases, a garden hose might be sufficient. On the other hand, if grime has built up on your driveway over time, you may need to power wash the driveway to remove unwanted substances. Experts recommend power-washing the driveway no more than once a year because a powerful power washer can damage weak areas.
Resealing and Refinishing
Resealing the driveway at least once every three years is a must. In fact, you may want to reseal the driveway every year if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain. Water wears down the calcium hydroxide in the concrete, creating small holes called pores. These pores allow chemicals and other harmful substances to cause structural damage that can be difficult if not impossible to reverse. Painting the driveway is not a substitute for resealing it, because paint only covers the very top layer of concrete. It doesn’t hold up in inclement weather and will likely fade in a year or two. If you want to change your driveway’s appearance or give it a touch of color or style, have a professional concrete company resurface the driveway and request that coloring be added to the overlay coating to improve your home’s curb appeal.
A well-maintained concrete driveway can last for up to thirty years. While it takes time to keep a driveway clean and in good condition, the end result is more than worth the effort as you’ll have a beautiful, reliable driveway that will serve you well in all types of weather. At the same time, you don’t need to go it alone. If you’re too busy to repair cracks, or you suspect that your driveway may need to be refinished or even replaced, Superior Aggregates Inc. is here to meet your needs. We offer residential concrete driveway installation and crack repair to home and business owners in and around the Lafayette, CO area. Our team not only takes pride in using the best tools and materials but also offers custom advice to help you keep your concrete driveway in tip-top shape long-term.