CONCRETE DRIVEWAY MAINTENANCE GUIDE

SOME TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR CONCRETE DRIVEWAY LOOKING GREAT

Clean the Concrete Regularly and Apply Sealer.

Keeping your driveway looking its best is every homeowner’s goal.

Cracking concrete is not only unattractive but can be dangerous as well.

Keeping it free of spills or dirt build-up is an essential and easy way to ensuring it will look good and last a long time.

Regularly applying a high-quality concrete driveway sealer is a great way to keeping it looking good.

Also, sealing will help protect your concrete driveway from cracking.

Once cracks begin appearing in the concrete, they are difficult to stop.

Regular maintenance will help prevent this deterioration in the concrete.

Here are some tips:

• Pressure-wash your entire driveway regularly to ensure all oils and sediment are removed.
• Apply a high-quality concrete driveway sealer. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for correct application.

Stain Removal

Even if you use a concrete driveway sealer you will still need to perform some regular preventative maintenance.

Regular concrete care and maintenance involves removing any petrol, oil, grease, and any other spills as soon as you notice them.

This will help avoid discolouring and deterioration of the surface of the concrete.

If you find some staining or discolouring on your concrete, there are many cleaning chemicals available which will clean most stains.

Once you have used these cleaning products it’s essential to clean it off with a high-pressure wash.

How to Choose a Sealer

Part of concrete driveway maintenance is choosing a high-quality sealer.

There are two different types of sealer, a ‘wet look’ and a ‘dry look’.

Even though they do a similar job, there are critical differences between these two products.

Wet Look Sealers

When using a ‘wet look’ sealer, you’ll find that it creates a film on the surface of your concrete driveway.

That way, when it dries, it leaves behind a wet appearance on its surface.

Using a wet concrete driveway sealer will provide surface protection from grease and oils.

Even though it’s less expensive compared to other types of sealers, it requires more frequent applications.

Dry Look Sealers

Using a ‘dry look’ sealer means you’ll be using a product that penetrates and seeps into the concrete.

This type of sealer will not discolour the driveway and creates more extended protection.

Because it lasts up to ten years, it usually costs more compared to the “wet” look sealer.

Choosing between the two is not only about preference but also how often you want to complete concrete driveway maintenance. If cost is a concern, the ‘wet look’ driveway sealer is a cheaper option.

However, in the long run, the ‘dry look’ concrete driveway sealer may prove the most cost-effective.

Ultimately, the goal is to reduce cracking and any concrete driveway repair that may result.

Do You See Cracks?

Even after you seal your driveway, it’s possible cracking may occur.

If cracks appear, don’t ignore them, attend to them immediately.

As the concrete changes temperature between day and night, and between seasons, these cracks can grow very quickly, ultimately requiring more significant repairs.

Prevent Cracks Before They Happen

Do you have trees or shrubs growing near your concrete driveway? The roots of these plants may grow underneath the concrete and can push up against its surface. When that happens, cracks and other damage can quickly develop.

Prevent this from happening by removing shrubs and trees from around or near your concrete driveway.

If you prefer not to remove these plants, an option is to trim their roots away from the driveway. 

Using concrete for your driveway is a great long-term, cost-effective way to have an attractive and practical entrance to your property.

However, to keep it looking ‘as good as new’ it does require a bit of effort.