Concrete driveways are not truly maintenance-free; with a little routine care, you can keep your driveway admirable. However, one can’t deny the fact that concrete driveways are durable, versatile, and keep their appearance and integrity for a longer period as compared to others.
The choice of installing a concrete driveway comes with great benefits, such as extended life, durability, the addition of value to your property, and aesthetic appeal to your home. Read the tips given below to preserve the shine and life of your concrete driveway.
- The biggest enemies of a driveway are – stains and cracks. Leaves, oil, gasoline, and dirt, if not cleaned for weeks, will not only leave stains but also increase the uneven wear. When it comes to cracks, the signs of most wear are often seen around the edges. To prevent this, always park your vehicles in the middle, where the concrete is strongest. Water, another enemy, can wash away the soil supporting your concrete driveway. Water is capable of deepening the existing cracks; call a professional concrete driveway contractor today to dig subtle trenches on either side to prevent the damages.
- Cleaning and resealing of the driveway depend upon the weather conditions as well as the amount of vehicle traffic. Whenever the first signs of wear start showing; reseal it, because prevention is better than cure in this scenario. Never use wire brushes for cleaning purposes, as you will end up ruining the surface.
- Typical residential concrete driveways, no matter how strong, if exposed to regular heavy vehicles or large construction equipment, will show early signs of wear. During remodeling your home, talk to the construction company and assign a new parking spot for all heavy vehicles. Avoid the use of sharp materials like metal blades as they tend to scrape the surface.
- Whenever you notice a crack, it is advisable to patch it immediately. Trees and shrub roots nearby can also be the culprit behind regular cracks. Either remove the trees or get their roots trimmed away to minimize the appearance of driveways. If shoveling, use a plastic shovel. A smooth driveway helps in reducing tripping accidents also.
- Using detergents or heavy chemicals to get rid of that stubborn stain can be very tempting, however, chemicals are corrosive to concrete. While buying a cleaning product, steer clear of salt, hydrogen sulfide, calcium chloride, and sodium chloride.
- If you end up damaging the surface of your driveway due to unforeseen accidents, like falling of heavy objects, consider a quick patch job. However, if you don’t feel confident enough to take the matter into your hands, hire a local contractor for immediate help.
- Tearing out and replacing a driveway can burn a hole in your pocket. If the structural damage is absent in your current driveway, consider the option of resurfacing. At a cheaper price, the look of your driveway will be renewed and all holes and stains will vanish.
To conclude, the concrete around your home can make a huge impact on the resale value of your property. When you have a cracked driveway that is pitting and crumbling, it creates a bad impression of your home. If you are looking forward to getting a new driveway installed, make an appointment with Swish Home Improvements today. Swish Home Improvements is the best solution for your needs.