Concrete Driveway Lifespan and Care Tips

Many homeowners ask themselves, “How long does a concrete driveway last?” Generally, a concrete driveway installed by professionals typically lasts between 25 and 30 years. Expert installation is important, and the longevity of your driveway depends on it, but you also need to take into account the amount of use it receives and how proactive you are at maintaining it.

With proper care and maintenance, some driveways can last well beyond two or three decades. Read on to learn how to care for your concrete driveway.

Maintenance from the pros

There are some maintenance steps that are a smart investment when it comes to prolonging the lifespan of your driveway. Talk with your local concrete contractors to learn which maintenance services promote a longer-lasting surface and prevent the need for full replacement.

Some of the most common maintenance steps include:

• Installing a reinforced outer layer: Chips and cracks around the edges of your driveway can impact its appearance, and they can also lead to major deterioration over time. Your concrete contractors will use a concrete mixture along the edges of your driveway to reinforce them while preventing chunking or chipping.
• Repairing stress cracks: A driveway is always exposed to the elements, and temperature changes, natural settling and even the weight of heavy equipment can cause a driveway to crack. While hairline cracks start small, they can expand surprisingly quickly. Discuss the best option for crack filling with your local concrete experts.
• Filling potholes: Potholes can cause a range of serious issues. They not only can damage your car, but they also allow water and contaminants to penetrate the deep layers of your driveway and ruin the foundation. Contact your concrete contractor to fill the pothole to make sure it doesn’t come back.
• Applying a sealer: Keeping your concrete driveway sealed is one of the best ways you can preserve its appearance. As a general rule, invest in concrete resealing once every two years or whenever you notice the finish beginning to show wear.

Maintenance you can do yourself

Do you know how to care for your concrete driveway on your own? It’s not hard to be proactive about keeping this feature in great shape. Here are some of the things you should do:

• Remove snow: It’s important to remove snow from the surface as quickly as possible to keep it from deteriorating the concrete. Try to avoid using de-icing chemicals or rock salt to remove snow from the driveway, but you can add sand to the driveway for extra traction.
• Remove stains right away: While a sealer protects your concrete from stains, you should still take care to remove them as quickly as possible. If you notice discoloration, use a pressure washer to remove any stains. An alkaline degreaser will remove oil and grease stains, while rust spots can be removed with oxalic acid.

So how long does a concrete driveway really last? It depends on a number of factors, from weather and precipitation to care and maintenance. To learn more about caring for your concrete driveway, contact the experts at Sunstar Seal Coating, Inc. today.

Categorised in: Concrete

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