6 Tips for Maintaining Your Driveway
You might not notice it, but our driveway is one of the busiest parts of your house. It doesn’t just receive traffic from your cars, you also walk on it regularly and perhaps, your kids play on it too. It is something that most homeowners also overlook – until it is too late – and your driveway is full of cracks and chips from every corner.
The good news is you can do these 6 simple steps to lengthen the shelf life of your driveway.
Be Observant
All big damages start with small damages. Small cracks on your concrete driveway won’t heal themselves. If you leave it on its own, it will eventually spread. Once you notice a hole or a crack in your driveway, fix it. A bigger crack will mean bigger damage to your concrete. It will weaken the foundation of your driveway and once you fix it, the fix might not be enough to hold it together for long.
Regular Cleaning is Important
Regular cleaning won’t make your concrete driveway stronger. However, it can help you see minor damages easily. if your concrete driveway is muddy all the time, you can miss small holes or cracks. Sweep it regularly or use water spray from time to time.
Keep it Dry
Concrete is highly durable, making it a popular material for construction projects. However, it is known to be weaker when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. It cracks easily. The same thing happens when it is constantly wet. To lengthen the shelf life of your concrete driveway, keep it dry all the time, except when you are cleaning it or doing a car wash.
Seal its Edges
Concrete driveways are meant to carry the weight of your car and though it is well sealed, its edges can easily give up after some time. Its edges are its weakest spot. One of the best ways to protect your driveway’s edges is by parking in the middle and not on the sides.
Regularly Remove Snow
If you live in an area where snow is part of the season, then make it a habit to regularly shovel or plow your concrete driveway. If you will be shovels, avoid scraping the surface of your driveway. Scraping it can give it an uneven surface that might damage your tires. You can also use plastic shovels. Don’t let those snow melts in your driveway because again, you have to keep your concrete driveway dry all the time.
Remove Stains
Your driveway is prone to gas and oil stains. These stains won’t just make your driveway look dirty; they can also affect the quality of your concrete driveway. Washing it off immediately with water is highly recommended because it will keep the gas and oil from seeping into your concrete. Remove stains in the perfect way click here.
Final Thought
Having a well-maintained driveway won’t just keep your backyard clean and striking. It will also lengthen the life of your concrete driveway. Keep your driveway in its best condition all the time and you won’t have to worry about having a driveway construction in the next two or three years. With these six steps, you won’t have to worry about having a new driveway in the next 15 to 20 years