Concrete is used in the construction of driveways because of its resilience, but that shouldn’t be your excure for not taking proper care of it. In fact, if the necessary steps are not taken to care for the driveway, it may begin to suffer damages that could cost you a lot of money. One of the first steps to take in maintaining your driveway is by constructing gutters around its edges so that water can be quickly drained from its surface. Some of the other ways of taking care of your concrete driveway are:
- Use Sealants to Prevent Cracks
If weather elements like snow or ice stay on its surface for too long, the concrete will begin to crack. One of the ways to prevent this from happening is to use sealers to cover the concrete as the sealers help to preserve the durability and resistance of concrete.
- Don’t Allow Accumulation of Water
Even with concrete sealers, it is not advisable to allow water to accumulate on your driveway because it can still seep into the concrete and saturate the concrete’s foundation. If your driveway is close to a drainage area, be sure to always be on the lookout for accumulated water so that you can dry it as soon as possible.
- Get Rid of Stains
Stains from motor oil, gasoline, grease, and other similar chemicals are harmful to a concrete driveway. These things discolor your driveway, and they erode the sealers on the driveway so try as much as possible to avoid their occurrence. There are also many stain removal techniques, which include pressure washing the stained area and using a degreaser.
- Park Carefully
It has been established that concrete is a solid material, but this does not mean it is unbreakable, especially if subjected to a lot of pressure. The concentration of concrete on the driveway edges is very low. Therefore, you should avoid parking around that area. Additionally, put up a sign that warns heavy load vehicles like trucks and buses about parking on your driveway.
- Be Careful with Cleaning and Deicing Chemicals.
Cleaning chemicals are essential because they help preserve your concrete driveway’s aesthetic properties, and deicing chemical also makes ice removal easier. However, some of these chemicals are harmful to your concrete because they contain substances that attack concrete. When buying chemicals to use for your concrete, you can ask a professional for advice.
The importance of a maintenance routine for your concrete driveway cannot be overemphasized if you intend to keep using it for a long time. A clean and presentable concrete driveway will also raise your home’s market value if you decide to resell in the future. So do your best in caring for your driveway.
