4 Essentials of Concrete Driveway Care: Expert Advice

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Your investment may disintegrate faster than you imagined unless you also invest some time and effort in essential concrete driveway care. So what should you do and how should you do it?

Here I delve deep into the key aspects of concrete driveway care, providing you with expert tips and insights.

 Whether you’re looking to design, build, maintain, repair, or resurface your concrete driveway, these guidelines will help you make informed decisions and ensure optimal results.

1. Concrete Driveway Care: Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity and longevity of your concrete driveway. 

Regular Inspections

Regular inspections are necessary to catch any potential issues early on and prevent them from escalating into more significant problems. 

By conducting inspections every 6-12 months, you can identify cracks, potholes, or signs of unevenness that may require attention.

Crack Repair

When you notice cracks or potholes, it’s important to address them promptly. Neglecting them usually leads to rapid deterioration and compromises the safety and appearance of your driveway. 

Depending on the size and severity of the cracks, you may be able to fill them yourself using a suitable concrete patching compound. 

However, for extensive repairs or if you lack experience in concrete work, engage a professional contractor.

Tree Root Growth

In some instances, tree root growth can pose a threat to your concrete driveway. As trees mature, their roots can exert pressure on the concrete, leading to cracking or heaving. 

It’s important to keep an eye on nearby trees and consult an arborist if you notice roots encroaching on your driveway. 

By managing tree root growth effectively, you can prevent potential damage and preserve the integrity of your concrete surface.

2. Cleaning Tips for Concrete Driveway Care

Regular cleaning is vital part of concrete driveway care and is necessary for maintaining the appearance and longevity of your concrete driveway.

It helps remove dirt, debris, and stains that can accumulate over time. The cleaning process typically involves sweeping and washing the surface.

Sweeping

Start by sweeping your driveway with a broom or using a leaf blower to remove loose debris and leaves. This simple step prevents particles from scratching or staining the concrete surface during the cleaning process.

Washing

To wash your concrete driveway effectively, a pressure washer can be a valuable tool. Use a mild detergent specifically designed for concrete surfaces.

Keep in mind that high-pressure settings on the pressure washer can damage the concrete, so adjust the pressure accordingly and maintain a safe and steady distance between the nozzle and the concrete surface.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

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The Best Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner for Your Driveway & Patio

The pressure washer surface cleaner is an attachment for pressure washers that let you clean concrete driveways, patios, etc. without having to worry about abrading or gouging the concrete surface.

Here is the Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner I recommend.

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Stain Removal

Stains are a common concern for concrete driveways. Stains can be removed but quite often a specific type of stain has a specific remedy.

For oil or grease stains, absorbent materials like cat litter or baking soda should be sprinkled on the affected area. They absorb most of the oil or grease and prevent them from penetrating into the concrete.

Allow them to sit on the stain for a while and then sweep them away. Use a degreaser on the spot followed by a good scrub with soapy water. Finally use clean water from a garden hose to rinse the area.

Stubborn rust stains, on the other hand, may require a rust remover specifically designed for concrete surfaces. Follow the instructions provided with the rust remover and ensure thorough rinsing after treatment. 

3. Periodic Sealing and Resurfacing

Regularly resealing an existing driveway and occasionally resurfacing it should be considered an important part of the concrete driveway care.

Resealing

Sealing your concrete driveway periodically is an absolutely critical step in preserving its beauty and protecting it from wear & tear and vagaries of weather.

Sealants act as a protective barrier, preventing water penetration, reducing the likelihood of cracks, and enhancing the overall durability of the concrete driveway. 

The frequency of sealing depends on various factors such as climate and usage, but I always recommend conducting a water absorption test late in fall every year.

In case the existing sealer coat has lost its efficacy, apply 2 coats of high quality topical sealer. Furthermore, apply a penetrating sealer every 5 – 7 years.

Before applying a sealer, ensure that the surface is clean, dry, and free of dust and debris. Thoroughly clean the driveway using a pressure washer. You could also scrub it clean with mild detergent and a garden hose.

Repair and fill up all small cracks and holes with a flexible filler or sealant. Once the surface is prepared and dry apply 2 coats, wet on wet, of a high quality topical sealer using a roller or spray.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS

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The Best Sealers for Your Concrete Driveway or Patio

A topical sealer is essential for protecting concrete surfaces from water permeation that can damage the concrete from within and compromise its lifespan.

I highly recommend Foundation Armor Concrete Sealers. Pick the one that best meets your aesthetic and application preference.

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Resurfacing

While sealing can significantly extend the concrete driveway lifespan, there may come a time when resurfacing becomes necessary. Resurfacing can rejuvenate your driveway and restore its appearance and structural integrity.

Determining the need for resurfacing requires careful evaluation. The decision is based both on functional needs and aesthetic requirements.

Resurfacing typically involves applying a new layer of concrete or an overlay on top of the existing concrete surface, giving your driveway a fresh and renewed look as well as a new lease of life.

There are several concrete driveway resurfacing options. One of them is sure to work for you,

4. Concrete Driveway Care During Winter

Winter weather can be particularly challenging for concrete driveway care due to freezing temperatures and the accumulation of snow and ice. To protect your driveway during the winter season, consider the following tips:

Snow Removal

Every effort should be made to clear snow from the driveway as soon as possible. In the early stages the snow is usually soft and the layer is not too thick, making snow removal somewhat easier.. 

Use a plastic snow shovel or a snow blower with rubber paddles to remove snow from your driveway. Avoid using metal shovels or sharp objects that can damage the concrete surface. 

Deicing Chemicals

When dealing with ice or snow accumulation, it’s tempting to use deicing chemicals to melt it quickly. However, not all deicers are suitable for concrete surfaces. Salt based deicers are likely to result in ice melt stained concrete driveways that will need to be cleaned.

Avoid using deicers containing ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate, as they can cause damage to the concrete. Instead, opt for deicers based on calcium chloride or magnesium chloride, which are less harmful to the concrete while effectively melting ice.

Proper Drainage

After snow removal or during thawing periods, ensure proper concrete driveway drainage of water. Water pooling on the surface can seep into the concrete, freeze overnight and potentially cause cracks and surface damage. 

Ensure that your driveway has adequate slope or channels to allow water to flow away from the surface and prevent pooling.

Thank you very much for reading this post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.