As one of the most used spaces in your home, if you own a vehicle, your driveway goes through more wear and tear than you might realize. As it holds the weight of thousands of pounds of metal on a regular basis, a durable driveway is something you should invest in and care for. If you’re unsure about how then here are a few ways you can maintain your concrete or asphalt driveway.
Clean and Seal Regularly
This is the best way to keep your concrete driveway looking brand new. The frequency in which you should clean and reseal your driveway depends on the climate you live in, the conditions your driveway is exposed to, and the amount of traffic it gets. Just to be safe, have your driveway resealed every two years or when the finish starts wearing off. You can seal it yourself with a concrete sealant found in most hardware stores. Or call a professional concrete and asphalt paving company with years of experience, like Bortolo and Sons, who have been paving concrete and asphalt driveways for 50 years.
Immediately Remove Stains
Yes, sealants help in preventing stains from being absorbed into the concrete permanently, but it’s still a good idea to clean up any oil, gasoline, or other stains quickly. This will keep the concrete from experiencing discolouration. However, if something started leaking overnight and you wake up with a stained driveway, pressure washing and cleaning chemicals can handle the mess.
No De-icing Chemicals
De-icing products can damage the integrity of your driveway through the forceful thawing and refreezing process that occurs from moisture. The surface will begin scaling and chipping. Products containing ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulphate attack concrete chemically and should never be used. Ordinary rock salt also causes surface scaling, especially on concrete less than a year old, and it corrodes metal and harms nearby plants. Sand gives good traction without any of these risks, and if you need to melt ice, choose a de-icer labelled safe for concrete. Our guide on melting ice without damaging concrete covers the safest options.
Be Careful
Practice caution regarding what types of vehicles your driveway will be supporting. While concrete is one of the more durable options for paving materials, it can’t support extremely heavy vehicles. Your fleet of minivans won’t impact it but avoid huge moving trucks or construction equipment for long periods of time. And avoid using metal shovels or intense plows during the winter, as the metal can scrape the driveway’s surface.
Repair Small Cracks Immediately
Leaving naturally occurring cracks exposed to seasonal weather conditions for years without care won’t make them go away. Instead, the cracks will widen over time and allow weeds to sprout through. The root systems will ruin the structural lining of your concrete driveway and you’ll need to repair the entire thing. Save yourself the stress and money by patching small cracks as you notice them.
Time Your Resealing Well
Two good moments to reseal are in early fall, before the wet season and winter freeze-thaw cycles arrive, and right after any renovation work that brought heavy traffic across the driveway. Always follow the sealer manufacturer’s recommended schedule.
Watch for Other Hidden Threats
Lawn fertilizer that lands on the driveway, leaking vehicle fluids and other harsh chemicals can slowly break down the concrete surface. Sweep or rinse them off promptly. For surface chips and minor wear on an otherwise sound slab, a thin concrete resurfacing product can restore an even, fresh-looking finish without a full replacement.
For more on spotting problems early, see our posts on concrete cracks you shouldn’t ignore and causes of concrete erosion.
With over 50 years of experience, Bortolo and Sons offer a wide range of asphalt and concrete services for residential, commercial, landscaping, and sports courts. We have a variety of colour, pattern, and texture options to really make your newly paved driveway stand out. Located in Burnaby, British Columbia, our asphalt and concrete paving experts are happy to assist anyone in the lower mainlands. If you’re in need of asphalt paving or concrete paving, call us today for a free estimate.
Related reading: How to melt ice without damaging concrete · 5 causes of concrete erosion · How to remove driveway stains. Learn more about our concrete driveways.
