Because of their sturdiness, durability, and attractiveness, concrete driveways are incredibly popular and require very little upkeep over their lifetime. But regular care is necessary if you wish to maintain your concrete pathway looking its best. Driveways made of concrete are frequently subjected to intense sunshine and harsh weather, which can result in cracks from expansion. A minimum of every two years, your driveway needs to be resealed in addition to any minor cracks that may develop. You can engage professional assistance for the task if you have a wide driveway. These guidelines will help you keep the concrete pavement in the best possible shape.
1. Keep it clean
Cleaning any dirt from your concrete driveway regularly is the most crucial step in keeping it presentable. Your drive can be cleaned with mild chemicals or power washed to eliminate grime and moss growth. Spills of oil, gasoline, or grease must be cleaned up immediately to avoid an ugly discolouration. Pressure washing and specific cleaning agents will remove most of the stains from discoloured concrete.
2. Resealing it
After the concrete has been poured and has had time to set, most driveways are coated with a specialised sealant to avoid stains. But after time, the sealant deteriorates. You may need to clean and reseal the concrete more frequently to maintain it looking its best, depending on the types of weather it is subjected to and the traffic it withstands. When the finish shows indications of wear and tear, you might need to reseal it sooner. Apply commercial sealants available at hardware stores and concrete contractors exclusively.
3. Avoid de-icing chemicals
De-icers should not be used on concrete driveways during the winter as they may result in surface damage like scaling and spalling. Even more vulnerable to damaging salt is fresh concrete. De-icing agents compel concrete’s moisture to freeze and repeatedly thaw, harming the building. Even cracks could start to appear. Because they chemically destroy concrete, products containing ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulphates should not be used. Sand might be a better choice for traction or as per the instructions of your concrete contractors.
4. Handle with care
Concrete needs to be properly maintained despite being a tough pavement option for residential driveway construction. It is not designed to sustain huge automobiles, large work vans, heavy machinery, or major construction equipment. Use caution when using sharp tools to shovel or plough your driveway. Surface damage can cause water damage, in which case water penetrates through the concrete and severely damages the building. Take tips from your concrete contractors for maintenance if necessary.
5. Replace the Drive
The driveway will need to be replaced as it becomes worn out or damaged. Only the damaged areas may need to be removed to fill in the gaps with fresh concrete. Repairing the surface might not be worthwhile if the damage has spread below the surface and into the concrete’s core. Instead, contact your concrete contractors and get the whole thing rebuilt.
