How to Properly Maintain a Concrete Driveway
Concrete driveway maintenance
In Calgary, AB, proper concrete driveway maintenance can help it last a lot longer. In general a concrete driveway doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. But snow and other weather conditions can wear on the concrete. With proper care and attention though, your driveway will last for many years. As a homeowner you can follow the steps here to make sure you take care of the driveway, so it continues to look great and avoids significant issues.
Concrete driveway maintenance: Clean the Concrete Yearly
One of the tips for concrete driveway maintenance is that the concrete should be cleaned yearly. This is to remove any algae, mildew, dirt and other build-ups. It will help the driveway look clean and new again. Pressure washing is one way to clean it, but care needs to be taken to prevent damaging the concrete. If any areas are already cracking, fix those first before pressure washing to avoid making them worse.
Remove Oil or Other Stains Quickly
Although yearly cleaning will help, if there are oil stains or other stains on the driveway, they should be cleaned up quickly. Otherwise, the oil can stain the concrete, and it will be difficult to remove. You can use a commercial degreaser for cleaning. Use the degreaser and a densely bristled brush along with water to scrub the oil spot until it fades as much as possible for your concrete driveway maintenance.
Repair Small Cracks When They Appear
Over time, the ground under the driveway can expand and contract and cause cracks in the driveway. These cracks will get bigger with time and allow weeds to grow in the driveway. If any small cracks are noticeable, you should repair them as soon as possible. It can be done with speciality products. Or if you notice that the cracks are getting too big to repair yourself, you can hire a specialist to ensure the repair is done correctly.
Seal the Concrete Regularly
Concrete driveways should be sealed to help protect them. The sealant protects the concrete from the chemicals used on roadways during snowy conditions. For Calgary, it’s recommended to have the driveway sealed around 30 days after the installation. And to have it resealed every one to two years to provide maximum protection. Sealing can be handled by a specialist, so it’s done quickly, and the driveway can be used again. Sealing is also a big part of concrete driveway maintenance to keep it in optimal conditions.
Avoid Ice Melt Products
When it’s snowing, it’s tempting to use ice melt products on the driveway to clear it without having to shovel. While shovelling needs to be done carefully to prevent damage to the concrete, it is the best way to keep it free from snow. It’s preferable to use a plastic shovel and avoid sharp objects. The ice melt products can damage the concrete and cause low spots, cracking, or other issues. Alternatives like sand, coffee grounds, or kitty litter can help make the driveway less slippery without needing to resort to harsh chemicals.
Concrete maintenance: avoid heavy weights
Concrete is not unbreakable. So to avoid cracks or sunken slabs, it is better not to park heavy vehicles and large construction equipment on your driveway. It is normally not engineered to support the heavy weight of for example a large moving van. Also, the edges of the driveway are normally places where the concrete is weaker. So if you can, avoid to park directly on the edges.
If you’re in Calgary, AB and have a concrete driveway, proper maintenance is going to enable you to get more years out of it. Use the tips here to keep the driveway in fantastic shape and ensure it lasts as long as possible. For any repairs or to have a new driveway installed to replace an ageing one, contact concrete specialists today. If you need any help with concrete lifting or leveling, Concreteexperts.ca is more than happy to help.