Five Must-Know Tips to Maintain a Concrete Driveway
How to Maintain a Concrete Driveway
Learning how to maintain a concrete driveway is one of the best ways to both save money and add curb-value to your house. As we all know, concrete is a very durable material, capable of withstanding stains, spills, foot traffic, and vehicle impact for years. Additionally, concrete driveways hold up to the elements much better than asphalt or traditional pavers. With that said, your concrete driveway still requires some maintenance from time to time in order to preserve it. With the right amount of care, your concrete driveway could last you over 30 years, or more! Here are some helpful tips for preserving your investment.
Tip #1: Avoid Harsh Deicing Chemicals
Prevent surface damage on your new concrete driveway by avoiding using harsh deicers. New concrete is more susceptible to the corrosive effects of deicers. It is recommended to use sand as a substitute to the many deicers on the market. This will also give your driveway better traction in addition to preventing scaling and spalling.
Tip #2: Use a quality mix
While deicers can harm your driveway, especially if they are new, high quality concrete mixes can withstand most deicers. Finding professionals to handle mixing for you is generally recommended. You really only need to be concerned if your concrete is from a low quality mix or completed by an amateur… Using a quality mix ensures that maintaining your driveway is easy-to-do rather than an impossible task.
Tip #3: Keep it Clean
Spills happen. Your engine leaks oil, your tires leave streak marks – that stain in the corner won’t seem to come out. No matter what happens, cleaning regularly ensures you keep your garage in premium condition. It is recommended to clean your driveway as spills happen, or at least once a year. This is one of the easiest ways to maintain your concrete driveway for years to come.
Tip #4: Seal it Regularly
Regularly cleaning your driveway also ensures that your driveway is primed for sealing. With sealing, you’re protecting your driveway from the elements. Especially if you live in a cold place, you want sealing to seal often avoid the ice-and-thaw cycle, which quickly deteriorates driveways. Sealing is one of the best ways to add years of life to your driveway.
Tip #5: Be Kind to Your Driveway
When it comes to snow removal, avoid plows and metal shovels. Instead, use a plastic shovel or snow blower. These create microscopic cracks that where water can get inside. When water freezes water particles expand and cause cracking. Residential concrete is also not designed for heavy plows, garbage trucks, etc.
Maintaining A Concrete Driveway
Maintaining your concrete driveway may sound like a chore, but with a little maintenance here and there you will see that years of life – and thousands of dollars – will be saved in the process. Simply keeping it clean, avoiding harsh deicers, and avoiding heavy machinery on your driveway are some of the easiest tips you can follow to ensure the life of your concrete is sustained for years to come.
Concrete Contractors You Can Trust
No one knows concrete like us. We have been pouring concrete for years. The materials and service we provide are always top-notch quality. If you’re in the neighborhood looking for residential concrete services, look no further. We are concrete contractors you can trust!
If you have any questions about maintaining your driveway fill out the form below or give us a call.