Often Overlooked Tips for Keeping a Home's Concrete Driveway in Good Repair

Construction & Contractors Blog

A home's concrete driveway will eventually chip or crack or otherwise need repair; this is simply due to age and exposure to the elements. Concrete may be very strong but it isn't completely permanent, as the material will break down over time. However, the way you manage and treat your home's concrete driveway can go a long way toward how long it lasts and how it looks over the years. Note a few tips for maintaining a concrete driveway, or any concrete surface on your property, so you can keep it looking its best for years to come.

Snow removal

Snow removal can be a good option for keeping concrete well-maintained, as the moisture from melting snow might get underneath a concrete surface and cause it to expand or crack. Moisture can also soften the concrete itself so it's no longer very strong.

That being said, you also want to be careful about using metal blades on concrete and causing scrapes and nicks on the surface. These can allow in that moisture and cause concrete to soften and crack. If you use a snow blower, set the blades so they don't actually hit the concrete but will leave a small amount of snow untouched. Then, use a snow shovel with a rubber tip or a stiff broom to remove that last bit of snow. This will protect your concrete while also allowing you to keep it clear.

Mind your weight

Concrete is very durable and can hold quite a bit of weight, but a home's driveway usually involves just a thin layer of concrete that isn't meant for anything heavier than standard family vehicles. Avoid parking an RV, cargo truck you use for work, or anything else very heavy on your concrete driveway repeatedly and for long periods of time. This added weight can cause small stress fractures in concrete that will mean cracking and needed repairs.

Avoid chemicals

Harsh chemicals can actually break down concrete or cause it to soften so that it is more prone to cracking and damage. These chemicals can include de-icing products or pesticides and the like. If you have ice on your concrete driveway, pour warm but not hot water over it and sweep away the moisture. Don't mix pesticides, grass feed, plant feed, and other such products on your concrete driveway without a thick, plastic drop cloth to protect it. This will keep those chemicals from breaking down the concrete or causing it to soften so it may crack more readily.

For more tips about maintaining and protecting your concrete driveway, contact local concrete services.

30 June 2016