Stamped Concrete Driveway Maintenance
How to Maintain a Concrete Driveway
Concrete is well-known for being one of the most durable and long-lasting building materials in use. In fact, it can last for generations with only minimal maintenance. Getting the most out of any concrete feature on your property requires just a little effort; you can feel sure that your investment will pay off handsomely. A concrete driveway is likely to require a little more care and attention than other concrete features on your property, such as a walkway. G&G Concrete & Construction Inc experts break down the basics of how to maintain a concrete driveway so you can effectively care for this important and hard-working surface.
Keep It Clean
The first and most basic form of maintenance is simply keeping your concrete driveway clean. An excessive amount of fallen leaves, twigs, and other yard debris can obscure problems that might be developing; taking the time to clean every so often will let you get a good look at the surface to identify any issues that should be addressed.
Reapply Sealer
As you clean, keep an eye out for spots where sealer needs reapplying. Weather will gradually wear down the sealer layer of the concrete and leave the surface exposed. Concrete driveway owners should anticipate re-sealing their driveway every two years or so. However, depending on your local climate, the sealer may need to be reapplied more frequently in spots.
A good quality sealer can be purchased from:
• Hardware stores
• Department stores
• Home improvement stores
• Online retailers
Avoid Using Chemical Deicing Treatments
If you live in an area that sees lots of snow and ice in the winter, then you are no doubt familiar with the many different deicing products on the market. Chemical deicers can damage concrete driveways in a surprisingly short amount of time. Look for calcium chloride or rock salt deicing products instead; these are likely to do less damage to concrete surfaces.
Remove Stains As Soon As Possible
Although stains may not seem at first like a form of damage, they can be cosmetic concerns that decrease the visual appeal of your property. A concrete sealant properly applied with help resist stain absorption; nonetheless, homeowners should make an effort to remove spills from concrete surfaces as soon as possible. Clean up oil, gas, grease, and other substances promptly. If the concrete surface does stain, use a power washer and specialty cleaning product. This will help restore the appearance of the concrete.
Be Careful With Concrete
Concrete is definitely very strong, but it is not indestructible. Heavy machinery and sharp tools can cause concrete to chip, which can gradually lead to a spreading network of cracks. Even the metal blades of snow shovels can damage concrete surfaces, to take care when handling snow removal.
Your Local Concrete Experts
Knowing the basics in concrete driveway care and maintenance will allow you to take care of many common concerns on your own. For more extensive tasks, it is a good idea to contact G&G Concrete & Construction Inc.. With over 20 years’ experience, we are concrete construction experts capable of handling jobs of any size. We offer residential concrete driveway installation and repair as well as commercial jobs of all types.
