Your driveway plays more roles than just providing a space to park your car, it is the area that first welcomes people into your home, the area that you first see after a long day of work, the area that everyone sees while passing by your home. To say that your driveway has a big part of your home’s curb appeal is an understatement. If you have a concrete driveway, you already know the positive impact a concrete driveway can provide your home’s aesthetic. Practicing proper maintenance techniques will help extend the life of your concrete driveway and keep it looking great for years to come.
As a professional concrete contractor, we are often asked how to best maintain a concrete driveway, so we decided to share our top tips below. Here are some ways to extend the lifespan of your concrete driveway:
Concrete Sealant
Applying a sealant top coat to your driveway will prevent liquids such as water, car fluids and harsh chemicals from staining or damaging your concrete driveway. Water can seep through the porous concrete and can cause damage once the weather drops and it freezes and expands. Car fluids such as oil or antifreeze can stain your concrete and harsh chemicals can chip away and eat at your concrete, all events that you don’t want to entertain. Sealing your concrete driveway every couple of years will help prevent these issues from occurring.
Regular Maintenance
Cleaning and maintaining your concrete driveway regularly is the best way to ensure it remains in great condition for years to come. Adding driveway maintenance to your seasonal home maintenance routine will help ensure it is not missed. Cleaning is as simple as sweeping large debris such as rocks and leaves off your driveway and doing a once over with a pressure washing to remove any built up dirt and grime.
Time for Curing
When your driveway was initially installed, chances are your concrete contractor asked you not to walk on your driveway for at least a day or two and two not park a car on it for three to five days. In reality, it can take up to 30 days for your concrete driveway to fully cure. This is why it is important to tread lightly for the first month.
Your driveway is an important aspect of your home, it adds to your home’s exterior aesthetics and is used almost every day. Ensuring you get the most out of your concrete driveway comes down to some routine maintenance including cleaning and sealing. If you have more questions regarding your driveway maintenance, reach out to your local concrete contractor.