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How to Effectively Remove Stains From Your Concrete Driveway

Concrete is known for its durability, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter the occasional stain every once in awhile. This is especially true for heavily used concrete areas. Thankfully, all hope is not lost. You can absolutely remove stains from your concrete driveway, likely on your own. You just have to keep a few key things in mind along the way.

Prepare the Area

The number one thing you can do to help remove stains from your concrete driveway is properly prepare the area before you begin a more thorough cleaning. At a bare minimum, sweep all of that loose dirt, dust, and other debris from the area. Don’t be afraid to use a shop vacuum if you must. If there are any weeds growing, get rid of those, too.

All of this will make it significantly easier to embrace more rigorous methods moving forward.

Spot Treat If You Can

Because concrete driveways are relatively large spaces by design, it’s likely that you’re not dealing with an issue over the entirety of your driveway’s surface area. This is good, as it means you can spot treat as-needed. It’s the best way to stop a small issue today before it has a chance to become a much bigger one down the road (no pun intended).

Naturally, the methods you’ll use will vary depending on exactly what type of stain you’re talking about. If you’re dealing with grease or oil from a car, for example, begin by using sawdust to try to absorb as much as you can. If you don’t have sawdust handy, cat litter will be a decent substitute. Whatever you put down will absorb as much of the stain as possible and, given enough time, you can then sweep everything else away and see what you’re dealing with.

Rust stains are a big more intensive. Here, you’ll need to use an acid-based cleaner.

If your issue has to do with tire marks, the good news is that most degreasing solutions will be able to perform the lion’s share of the work for you.

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

Keep in mind that regardless of the type of stain you’re working with or the approach you use, everything might not go perfectly the first time. If you put down sawdust to try to get up oil and let it sit for a few hours, you may still have visible marks when you’re done.

This is okay. Simply apply more, wait awhile longer, sweep it back up, and try again. Continue to do this until you stop seeing progress.

Prevent Those Stains From Happening Again

Finally, remember that to avoid this type of situation in the future, you’ll want to apply sealer or wax to your concrete driveway. This can help prevent those stains from forming at all so that you don’t have to worry about cleaning.

Overall, one of the major reasons why concrete is so widely used in the first place has to do with its resiliency. Yes, stains can and do happen and some are a lot easier to remove than others. But whether you’re dealing with a leaky automobile or something a little more distressing, the most important thing to do is not worry. With a bit of knowledge and the right approach, you can effectively remove stains from your concrete driveway and restore it to its original appearance at the same time.

If you’d like to get additional tips about how to properly remove stains from your concrete driveway, or if you’d like to discuss your own concrete-related situation with someone in a bit more detail, please feel free to contact us today.

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Why You Should See Your Concrete Driveway as the Investment it Really Is

When people think about making investments to their home that will ultimately improve the resale value, their mind usually goes directly for a few specific types of projects.

Naturally, you’ll want to make sure areas like the kitchen and bathroom are updated with modern designs and fixtures. You’ll also want to pay attention to critical systems like the roof or HVAC. But one area that most people don’t consider is also among the most crucial: the driveway.

That’s right – having a concrete driveway installed is absolutely an investment, and it should be treated as such. This is true for a number of different reasons, all of which are worth a closer look.

The Longevity Factor

For most people, the number one reason why a concrete driveway should be seen as an investment has to do with just how long-lasting it truly is. Concrete is an inherently durable material, which is why it is used so much throughout our daily lives.

The key takeaway is that so long as it is properly maintained, that driveway could last three or more decades without showing any obvious signs of distress. This means that you make sure that water needs to drain away from the driveway and not onto it whenever possible, for example. You’ll also want to take care to clean up any spills or stains as soon after they develop as possible.

Concrete is adept at standing up to the heaviest cars and trucks out there – which is great for the resale value of a home or even a commercial property.

No Fuss, No Muss

Along the same lines, concrete is also known for being notoriously easy to maintain. This is true to the point where most people go for years without thinking too much about their driveway at all.

If you were working with a material like asphalt, for example, you’d need to reseal it once a year or so. This is especially true if you live in an area of the country that gets all four seasons. You can get away with skipping a year, but if you do it too much you’ll be dealing with major issues after just five years.

With concrete, you should always seal it for maximum longevity, but beyond that, you don’t have to worry about much at all. Even cleaning concrete is comparatively simple. In most situations all you need is a broom, and the occasional session with the pressure washer will get up anything particularly “tough” from the surface.

Because of benefits like those outlined above, not only will you likely be able to sell a home faster with a concrete driveway, but you’ll likely command a higher asking price, too. This is because prospective buyers know that they don’t have to pull out an asphalt driveway (or worse, gravel) and replace it with a concrete one of their own.

In the end, your concrete driveway is absolutely an investment – and it’s one that deserves to be protected. Whether you’re not even thinking of selling your home or are preparing for a big move, it’s an element that you need to be proactive about taking care of. Concrete is a big part of the curb appeal of any space and if you do put a little work in now, it represents effort that will continue to pay dividends for years to come.

If you’d like to find out more information about why your concrete driveway is an investment in every sense of the term, or if you’d just like to discuss your own needs with a team of professionals in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today.

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How to Maintain Your Home’s Concrete Driveway

Concrete driveways are aesthetic, durable, and add value to the home. Even so, they’ll need occasional care and maintenance to prolong their lifespan. As a homeowner, there are some simple yet very effective things you can do to keep your driveway in good shape long-term.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Sweep the driveway regularly. Doing so removes dust, debris, and small pebbles that could damage the concrete over time. It’s also a good idea to keep the grass near the driveway cut short. If weeds are allowed to grow too close to the driveway, their roots could cause damage. Furthermore, as you mow and sweep, be on the lookout for small cracks. These will get worse if not fixed right away. A cement-based product with polymer modifiers is ideal for small surface cracks while a sealant is best for large cracks.

Chemical Removal and Power Washing

Chemicals can wreak havoc on your concrete driveway. Avoid using de-salting and de-icing products in the winter as they can cause deep cracks in your concrete driveway. If oil or gas spills onto the driveway, clean it up immediately. In some cases, a garden hose might be sufficient. On the other hand, if grime has built up on your driveway over time, you may need to power wash the driveway to remove unwanted substances. Experts recommend power-washing the driveway no more than once a year because a powerful power washer can damage weak areas.

Resealing and Refinishing

Resealing the driveway at least once every three years is a must. In fact, you may want to reseal the driveway every year if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain. Water wears down the calcium hydroxide in the concrete, creating small holes called pores. These pores allow chemicals and other harmful substances to cause structural damage that can be difficult if not impossible to reverse. Painting the driveway is not a substitute for resealing it, because paint only covers the very top layer of concrete. It doesn’t hold up in inclement weather and will likely fade in a year or two. If you want to change your driveway’s appearance or give it a touch of color or style, have a professional concrete company resurface the driveway and request that coloring be added to the overlay coating to improve your home’s curb appeal.

A well-maintained concrete driveway can last for up to thirty years. While it takes time to keep a driveway clean and in good condition, the end result is more than worth the effort as you’ll have a beautiful, reliable driveway that will serve you well in all types of weather. At the same time, you don’t need to go it alone. If you’re too busy to repair cracks, or you suspect that your driveway may need to be refinished or even replaced, Superior Aggregates Inc. is here to meet your needs. We offer residential concrete driveway installation and crack repair to home and business owners in and around the Lafayette, CO area. Our team not only takes pride in using the best tools and materials but also offers custom advice to help you keep your concrete driveway in tip-top shape long-term.

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Why You Should Avoid DIY Concrete Repair If You Can Help It

Whether you’re talking about a commercial or residential property, the urge to try to fix everything yourself can often be great. You can save a lot of money by simply not hiring professionals for certain tasks and turning as much as you can into a DIY affair.

When it comes to concrete, however, there are a number of very important reasons why you should absolutely resist the urge to do this at all costs.

Knowledge is Power

Even if you consider yourself to be a particularly handy or otherwise skillful person, perhaps the number one reason why you should avoid DIY concrete repair if you can help it has to do with the fact that you likely won’t be able to assess the damage properly.

You know that a section of your concrete is developing cracks. Do you know what kind of cracks they are? Do you know why they are there in the first place? The answers to those questions will dictate how it should be remedied as far as a long-term solution is concerned.

Even if you’re able to properly assess and repair surface-level damage, you’d still be “treating the symptom instead of curing the disease,” so to speak. An underlying issue could be impacting the entirety of your concrete, but to a novice it would appear that the issue is localized to one particular area.

A team of professionals would know that this isn’t the case. They could collect as much actionable information as possible so that they can know exactly what to do next. Not only would this be a more effective solution to your current problem, but it would also prevent you from inadvertently making a problem worse as well.

The Time Factor

Next, you need to consider the fact that properly repairing and maintaining concrete isn’t as straightforward as patching a hole in some drywall. It’s incredibly time-consuming – particularly if this is the first job of this scale you’ve ever worked on.

First, most concrete-related tasks require specific tools and materials that vary depending on exactly what you need to do. If you don’t have them, you’ll need to go out and get them – an investment that you’ll probably only use once. Likewise, you’ll be spending a lot of time waiting for concrete to dry, which you won’t necessarily know how to spend in more productive ways if you’re not a professional.

In the end, while it’s absolutely true that there are a lot of jobs around the house (or around the commercial property) that you’re more than capable of handling on your own, concrete repair shouldn’t be one of them in virtually all circumstances. Yes, you might think that you can save a little money by forgoing the call to the professionals and purchasing the necessary supplies yourself. On paper, you might even be right.

But what you’re risking is a situation where you take a small problem and make it a much bigger and ultimately costlier one. If you don’t want to risk damaging things to the point where you might need to replace all the concrete and start again instead of repair it, you’ll want to pick up the phone and call a professional concrete repair service as soon as you’re able to do so.

If you’d like to find out more information about why you should always avoid DIY concrete repair if you can help it, or if you’d just like to speak tos someone about your own situation in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact us today.

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What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Concrete Home Driveway?

Would you like a home driveway that adds value to your property, only requires minimal maintenance, and can last for up to 50 years? If so, a concrete driveway may be exactly what you need. Concrete is a popular material choice for homeowners redoing their driveways. However, it’s important to know the pros and cons of using this material in order to make an informed decision.

What are the Advantages of a Concrete Driveway?

Concrete significantly boosts your home’s curb appeal. Its clean, sleek appearance is ideal for any modern, contemporary, transitional, or even colonial home. At the same time, concrete companies can add some flair to a concrete driveway in a number of ways. You can have it stamped, stenciled, colored, or engraved. You can add decorative edging or even cut patterns into the concrete. Additionally, concrete is strong enough to handle any load. If you use High Early strengthened concrete, it will harden right away, which means you’ll be able to use your driveway in less than a day after the concrete has been poured.

Concrete can also hold up well in inclement weather. It releases heat slowly, which means your driveway won’t heat up during the hot summer months. Concrete can also handle cold winter weather. Ice and road salts won’t damage it if you seal the driveway in the fall. You only need to seal the driveway once a year.

Keeping your concrete driveway looking good isn’t a problem. Dirt and debris won’t damage the driveway but an occasional scrub with an old, stiff broom and a hose will improve its appearance.

What are the Disadvantages of a Concrete Driveway?

Concrete, like all other material options, has a few disadvantages. Perhaps the biggest drawback is the price. It’s a great long-term investment if you own a home that’s in a mid-to-high price range, as a concrete driveway can boost your home’s value by up to 10%. However, the initial price tag can put a concrete driveway out of reach for many homeowners.

Another problem with concrete driveways is that oil and fluid from leaky vehicles can stain the concrete. You can remove these stains with the right tools, but it’s not easy to do so. Furthermore, you’ll need to make sure the company putting in your new concrete driveway has a reputation for doing the job right. If the sub-base isn’t right or the concrete is low quality, your driveway may crack over time. Cracks in a concrete driveway can only be fixed by replacing the entire section of the driveway.

Superior Aggregates Inc. specializes in concrete driveways for homes and businesses. We serve the Broomfield, Longmont, and Boulder, CO areas, offering top-tier work at the best possible price. Our close attention to detail ensures the job will meet or even exceed your expectations. All projects use Colorado DoT-specified concrete mix. We pay close attention to your safety to prevent damage during the work process, and we immediately remove debris from the worksite as soon as we’re done. If you are interested in a concrete driving that looks good and can hold up to extensive wear and tear, get in touch with us to learn more about our services or to schedule an anointment for a free estimate.