Your driveway is one of the first things people see when they drive or walk up to your home, so it’s important that you keep it looking its best! Moreover, it’s one of the most used parts of your property. Simply walking, playing, or driving over it every day puts a lot of wear and tear on your driveway. If you want to enjoy its benefits for as long as possible, it’s crucial that you take care of it properly.
Follow these 10 tips for maintaining your driveway, and you’re sure to be on the right track.
1. Remove Snow As Soon As It Falls
Do not wait to remove snow from your driveway. The longer you allow it to sit there, the more likely it is to get packed down and turn into ice. If you do have any problems with ice on your driveway, sand or cat litter can help improve traction.
2. Fix Cracks Immediately
Driveway cracks are bound to happen over time, but fixing them immediately helps improve the overall look of your driveway. Pour in some pea gravel mixed with sand, then sweep clean after the mixture dries. You should also patch holes if they start getting larger than a quarter or half-dollar coin.
Driveway damage is inevitable over time, but you need to be on top of it and fix problems as soon as they arise. Otherwise, your driveway will become too damaged and might even require a full replacement. Hire a reliable concrete contractor to replace your driveway if it gets to this point.
3. Don’t Overuse De-Icer
Avoid using too much salt when it comes to de-icing your driveway. Excessive salt will damage your driveway’s surface and can eat away at the concrete itself over time.
4. Avoid Parking on Your Driveway
Avoid leaving your car parked on your driveway for too long, as doing so can stretch out the asphalt underneath, damaging it in the process. Also, parking a vehicle intermittently throughout the winter helps prevent damage to its exterior from snow being pushed up against it or other outdoor elements such as moisture or extreme temperatures.
5. Clear Away Leaves After Fall
Fall brings with it a lot of leaves that you should clear from your driveway as soon as possible once they have fallen from the trees above. This prevents them from being packed down by people walking over them and causing damage.
6. Use Sealant on Large Areas
If you have a large driveway that is made of asphalt, consider using sealant on it every three to five years or so or after particularly harsh winters where your driveway sustains significant damage. This will help prevent water from seeping through the cracks over time and causing more harm than good, which can lead to potholes forming.
7. Watch Your Parking Spots Closely
You should also pay close attention to the parking spots near your home if they are made of brick, blacktop, or gravel as they can easily be damaged by car accidents (such as dents) or by cars themselves (such as tire tracks left behind). Be sure to fix these problems as soon as possible by filling in the holes or dents with grout and covering up tire tracks with a new layer of gravel.
8. Use a Power Washer to Remove Stains
If you do accidentally get a stain on your driveway from oil or grease, consider using a power washer to remove it. This will save time and effort versus trying to get rid of the stain manually, especially if it has been there for quite some time.
9. Keep an Eye Out For Tree Roots
Be careful about roots from nearby trees growing through your driveway too; they can cause serious damage over time if not detected and dealt with quickly enough. Look out for cracks that are much wider than usual (usually more than half an inch) and uneven pavement if you suspect tree roots might be the cause.
10. Sweep Regularly
Last but not least, you should sweep your driveway after it snows to get rid of the snow and ice that has been pushed aside. This will prevent damage from occurring due to people walking or vehicles driving over ice and help keep your driveway looking clean and well-maintained too.
There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your driveway, but there are also many steps you can take to avoid these problems before they start. Make sure to follow the 10 tips provided here for maintaining your driveway and keeping it looking its best throughout all four seasons!
