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Driveway Maintenance Tips

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Your driveway is something you use everyday and it can take a beating over time. Extending the life of your concrete, asphalt or gravel driveway is easier than you think. Make sure your driveway remains in top shape with these driveway maintenance tips.

Maintaining concrete driveway

A decorative concrete driveway doesn't require much maintenance -- but it still requires some maintenance to extend its life. Preserve the life and appearance of your concrete driveway with these tips:

  • Clean and reapply sealer as needed. Cleaning your driveway as needed and keeping it sealed are the best measures against any damage to your driveway. How often you'll need to reseal your driveway will depend on the weather and vehicle traffic mostly. Resealing every two years is generally sufficient.
  • Remove stains immediately. Just as you would pre-treat a stain on your favorite shirt, try to remove and care for stains on your concrete driveway as soon as possible. Removing the stain and spill as quickly as possible will prevent it from setting into the concrete.
  • Avoid deicing chemicals. Deicing chemicals can cause surface damage such as scaling. Rock salt will do less damage, but it can harm vegetation and corrode metals. Avoid using any deicers the first winter after your concrete driveway is installed, when it is more susceptible to damage.

Maintaining an asphalt driveway

Asphalt driveways will last your family for decades with proper care and maintenance. However, freezing and unfreezing, standing water and weed growth can chip away at its strength eventually causing it to break up. Prevent this type of damage with these tips.

  • Seal your driveway. A professional sealant can protect your driveway from the elements and stop cracks before they start. If you seal coat your driveway every year, it will be protected from sun, water and ice. The best time to reseal your asphalt driveway is the spring for most of the country because of the cooler temperatures. It also gives you a head start on protecting it from summer's damaging UV rays and heat.
  • Deal with standing water. Standing water can cause your driveway to crack. If you have any areas in the driveway that are lower and form bowls or birdbaths with an inch or less of water you can fix it yourself. If the water is deeper call a professional
  • Repair cracks as they come. Cracks will come no matter how much sealant you use. Weeds work their way into the driveway and it gives way, resulting in cracks. You should repair cracks with an asphalt emulsion crack filler before rain and freezing water can make the problem worse. Use the crack filler for cracks less than a half-inch wide, for larger cracks fill them in with prepackaged cold pack blacktop.

Maintaining a gravel driveway

A gravel driveway is often the most economical choice. However, it requires the most maintenance. As long as you build your driveway with the proper level of gravel layers, grading and a retaining border, it should serve you well for years to come.

  • Fix potholes. They don't only look bad, but potholes can also worsen drainage problems in your driveway. Potholes will worsen with each rainy day so take care of them right away. Fill potholes with coarse gravel until it's three inches lower than the level of the driveway. Tamp the gravel down and fill the hole the rest of the way with gravel that matches the size, color and shape of the rest of the driveway. Mound it a bit above the driveway and level it off to blend in.

 

Ana M. Ferrer  Posted by Ana M. Ferrer on September 24, 2014

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