In this blog, our experts share their 5 best concrete driveway maintenance tips so you can have a durable driveway without sweat. Let’s dive into it!
1. Protect Your Driveway
Ideally, you want to apply the sealer right after the driveway construction or decorative concrete has been completed, but you can also do it years after, as long as it’s in good condition. If it isn’t, you want to address the surface damage then and seal it later. Make sure to use the right type of sealant and reapply it every 2 to 3 years.
Extra Tips:
- Tree roots can grow beneath your driveway, causing uneven surfaces or cracks. Choose tree species with non-invasive root systems for
- your landscape and trim them regularly.
In hot climates, consider using a light-colored sealer to reduce heat absorption.
2. Maintain Your Drainage Too
Water and moisture are among the most common threats to any concrete surface, and unfortunately, they often win the battle. You want to keep water away from your driveway as much as possible, and that is only achieved through a robust drainage system.
If you ensure your driveway maintenance system is in top condition, your driveway will remain in peak condition too. It also helps protect your landscaping.
Every driveway should be properly graded to guarantee proper water runoff. Additionally, you want to keep nearby drains free of debris.
3. Waterproof, Waterproof, Waterproof
We can’t stress enough how crucial proper waterproofing is for your driveway. Water can infiltrate it at any moment due to many causes, such as extreme weather conditions, freeze-thaw cycles, broken fixtures, and much more, and ruin your entire driveway. Understanding how freeze-thaw cycles work is important to be prepared for any situation.
When the water your driveway absorbs freezes, it expands, and when it thaws, it contracts. This constant movement can lead to cracking and erosion.
Apart from what we’ve already mentioned in previous tips, another thing you can do to protect your driveway from water is to stay on top of your snow removal. Despite our mild winters in Alabama, any little amount of melting snow can deteriorate the driveway surface long term. You can use a plastic shovel and safe de-icers to avoid this.
4. Avoid Deicing Chemicals
While it may seem contradictory, using certain chemicals does more harm than good. Some of these products cause flaking and spalling, but you still want to remove snow from your concrete driveway.
Rock salt can safely melt snow and ice. Ice also makes surfaces slippery during winter. Sand can provide traction for your patio, driveway, and other exterior surfaces.
5. Minimize The Impact of Heavy Loads
Concrete is undoubtedly a sturdy material, but it is not indestructible. The constant stress from heavy loads can cause cracking over time, but you can minimize this effect by limiting heavy vehicle parking on your driveway, such as trucks, trailers, and construction equipment, or using support pads or plywood under the tires to distribute weight evenly.
Secure The Best Concrete Driveway Care
With these concrete driveway maintenance tips, you’ll be set and have a durable driveway. However, there is one last tip: Always look for a professional concrete service for maintenance and repairs.
At FerCo Construction, we can assist you with a wide range of warranted concrete solutions, from driveway installation and sealing to concrete repairs and pressure washing.
Don’t let anything ruin your driveway, much less poor concrete work. Contact our expert team today!