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Keeping Up With Curb Appeal: The Top 5 Driveway Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

Whether you have bricks, pavers, concrete or an asphalt driveway, keeping it in good shape is the biggest factor in how long the surface will effectively serve you. Upkeep is also essential to ensuring that they maintain their appearance and add value to the home. Check out these top tips for maintaining the most common driveway materials.

1. Stay Diligent with Seal Coating

Driveway maintenance will be eased with routing seal coating of the installation’s surface. This is a good move for most kinds of solid-surface driveways, and is a must-do for concrete and asphalt materials that can stain and deteriorate with excessive sun and moisture exposure.

However, an asphalt driveway will need around 90 days to cure before being sealed. Most surfaces will need to be resealed about every two years to extend their lifespan and keep them looking attractive. This task is often best left to professionals, as it takes special tools and can be time-consuming for the typical homeowner.

2. Clean Up Stains Quickly

Routine seal coating can help prevent stains from oil, gas and other fluids that can penetrate bricks, pavers, concrete and asphalt driveways. Yet, it’s best to immediately clean up any such spills to keep stains at bay, which is likely to detract from the beauty of the home. Consider regular pressure washing to retain an ultra-clean look throughout the year.

3. Don’t Let Plants Take Over Driveway Surfaces

While green foliage is desirable in landscaping, plants and weeds can be a true menace to driveways. They can penetrate through to the surface by way of small cracks, which can actually widen them over time. Experts recommend filling in any cracks quickly and aggressively.

To prevent grass from taking over the edges of driveways, invest in some type of trim, edging or river rocks to place along the sides. In addition to keeping grass where it belongs, this addition can become a key visual element of your hardscaping design.

4. Perform a Driveway Inspection After Winter or Heavy Freezes

Should you reside in an area that sees freezing temperatures or seasonal snowfalls, the driveway will experience freeze-thaw cycles. Unfortunately, this can be a primary cause of driveway damage and is a particular issue with an asphalt driveway that can easily shift.

Be sure to do a visual inspection after deep freezes or heavy snow to check for cracks, potholes, or any signs of crumbling materials. Be prepared to take care of any necessary repairs right away. Ignoring deterioration will only allow the problem to worsen and spread to other areas of the driveway.

5. Invest in a Driveway Professional

While it’s possible to do a good portion of driveway maintenance and basic repairs as DIY projects, bigger jobs might be best left to professionals. In cases of tough stains or large installations, an experienced technician can make magic happen with greater ease and in less time. Having a local contractor in place ensures fast repairs and regularly scheduled seal coating and cleaning.

Don’t Underestimate the Talents of a Pro

As you can see, the driveway is a large part of a home’s exterior features, and will be seen by neighbors and passersby on a regular basis. Don’t be the neighbor who neglects their driveway and drives down the overall curb appeal on your street. Invest in driveway maintenance!

By admin Asphalt Driveway • • • • 0 Comments

Is a Concrete Driveway the Best Choice for Your Home?

Has your driveway seen better days? Cracks, potholes, and drainage issues are all tell-tale signs that a new driveway install may be in your immediate future.

If you’re ready to replace your driveway, you have many options, including having a concrete driveway or a cement driveway installed. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of installing a concrete vs. a cement driveway.

The Differences Between Concrete and Cement Driveways

Concrete and cement are often used interchangeably because they look similar; however, they are not the same. Very few things are constructed with cement alone.

Cement is an ingredient in concrete. Along with cement, concrete is also manufactured with water and aggregates including gravel, stone, and sand, which make up about 75% of concrete. Cement, meanwhile, is made from a mixture of silicon, calcium, iron, and aluminum, which are then heated up to a very high temperature before being ground into a fine powder we know as cement. It is then often used as a component of concrete.

Using cement alone is more suitable for smaller projects such as grout or to repair damaged concrete. Most experts don’t recommend using just cement to construct a driveway because it is less durable than concrete and won’t last as long.

Using Concrete to Construct a Driveway

Concrete is one of the most popular and durable materials in the world. It’s used to construct homes, commercial buildings, driveways, columns, and foundations.

Some of the benefits of choosing a concrete driveway over cement, asphalt, or gravel include:

Durable and Long Lasting

Well-maintained concrete driveways can last 30 years or more. Ensure you hire a reputable concrete company to install your driveway as proper installation plays an important role in the durability and lifespan of your driveway. Typically constructed with separate square slabs, concrete driveways are durable enough to handle heavy trucks, RVs, and boats. Concrete driveways often last 50% or longer than asphalt surfaces.

Low Maintenance

Concrete driveways are incredibly easy to maintain. They typically require only regular sweepings or power washes. A concrete sealer should be applied once a year, especially in colder climates that experience frequent freeze-thaw cycles.

Cost-effective

Although concrete driveways are more expensive to construct than other surfaces, they’re most cost-effective in the long run because of reduced maintenance costs, fewer repairs, and a longer life expectancy.

Increased Home Value

Concrete driveways can help increase your home’s value. Not only do many people think concrete is more aesthetically pleasing than other surfaces, but potential homebuyers may be more likely to buy your house knowing the surface requires little maintenance and can last for 30 or more years before a replacement driveway is needed.

Environmentally Friendly

Concrete is a recyclable material, which makes it environmentally friendly. It also requires reduced energy than other materials because it doesn’t need to be repaired, resurfaced, and it lasts longer.

The Cons of Installing a Concrete Driveway

Overall, there are very few cons to installing a concrete driveway. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a concrete driveway due to budgetary constraints, then it may be more cost-effective in the short term to install an asphalt driveway.

Although concrete requires minimal maintenance, it does need to be sealed once a year to ensure the durability of the surface. Fluids or oil stains from cars can be very difficult to remove once they seep into the surface.