Your outdoor landscaping makes your first impression, it creates a relaxation zone for your family, and it can boost your property values. Landscaping involves lots of different elements including concrete. Hi, my name is Diane, and I love landscaping. However, I also love patios, magical pathways, sports courts and other concrete creations. Want help creating your fabulous outdoor space? Want help with concrete ideas in particular? Then, I would love to be there for you. I have a keen eye for decoration and have helped a lot of friends create their outdoor areas. I hope my tips and ideas can help you.
Concrete driveway installation is a big investment and, like any other investor, you expect a good return on your investment. Taking good care of your concrete driveway after the installation is critical for keeping the paved surface intact for as long as you can. There are many things to do to ensure that the concrete paving remains in tip-top condition.
Here's a lowdown on some top maintenance tips for your concrete driveway.
Clean and Seal Your Driveway
Keeping your concrete driveway clean and properly sealed goes a long way in increasing its lifespan. All you have to do is to make sure you clean and seal the concrete surface on a regular basis.
Start the cleaning process by sweeping your entire driveway with a yard broom to remove any loose dirt and debris that may have accumulated on the driveway over time. Once you've removed all the loose dirt, hose down the pavement with mild soapy water while scrubbing it with a deck brush. If you're going to use a pressure washer, make sure you adjust the pressure of the water so that its blasting force removes stubborn dirt but doesn't damage your driveway.
Once your driveway is clean and dry, apply an appropriate concrete sealer on its surface to protect it from weather-induced damage.
Attend to Accidental Spills Right Away
It's not uncommon for motor oils, fuel and other liquids to spill on driveways. But this doesn't mean that these spills should be left unattended. If ignored, these spills can damage your concrete paving due to their chemical composition. If you want to get the most out of your driveway, never leave chemical spills unattended. Clean them up immediately so that they don't emulsify and become permanent stains.
Steer Clear of Deicing Chemicals
Deicing salts are commonly used to remove ice and snow from paving during the winter season. But are you aware that they are bad for newly-installed concrete paving?
During the first winter, don't salt your driveway. The safest material for making the concrete surface more skid-resistant during this time is plain sand. You'll love the fact that plain sand is much cheaper than most deicing chemicals, but you might need a significant amount of it to cover your entire driveway.
Don't Exceed the Weight Capacity of Your Driveway
Most driveways are designed to withstand the weight of cars and light-duty trucks. Driving a medium or heavy-duty truck over your concrete driveway can cause extensive damage to it. Don't exceed the maximum weight capacity of your driveway.
For more useful tips on how to care for your concrete driveway, feel free to speak to a concrete driveway contractor.
Share15 March 2019
