Have you ever had a time you when you have visited someone’s house and you can just feel the hollow areas on the driveway by just how bumpy the drive is? Not only that’s embarrassing, but you know that it’s pretty annoying too. It is understandable that sometimes people put repairs on hold because they have more pressing things to attend to, but how about you simply prevent having to incur such costs by learning how to take care of your driveway better? It makes more sense, right?
Your driveway completes the look of your home, adding a special curb appeal to your house’s overall appearance. Not only a paved and well-maintained driveway can augment a property’s attractiveness, but it also functionally serves as an area to park your vehicles and keep public roads clear of traffic. Our driveways have already been an essential part of our home and daily activities so it’s important for us to find ways to preserve them in good condition. With that, I’ll share with you 5 quick and easy things that you should follow if you want to keep your driveway in top shape.
#1 Clean your driveway regularly.
Vehicles’ radiator fluid and other similar substances such as oil, grease, gasoline and other spills are the most common stains on a driveway. Stains like these causes more serious damage to the appearance of a concrete driveway since it is more easily visible than in asphalt. It also for this very reason why you should immediately treat any fresh stain on your driveway because aside from ruining your driveway’s appearance, oil tends to seep through the pavement thereby softening the asphalt or concrete underneath. For old stains, use a degreaser or a microbial cleaner with a regular scrub so you avoid damaging your driveway’s surface.
Clean your driveway regularly by sweeping, raking and pulling out weeds on the surface. You should be especially careful with vegetation growth because weeds can cause cracks where water can seep through so make sure to pull them out early on. Power washing is also another way to remove dirt and small stains off your driveway.
#2 Repair cracks and potholes.
Over time, your driveway goes through natural wear and tear so examine your driveway and look for cracks and potholes. Trapped water that settles in holes will freeze and expand as the freeze-thaw cycle begins. Hence, be sure to caulk and seal them to prevent further damage.
If you prefer to have a professional handle it for you, reach out to driveway repair Chesapeake VA.
#3 Manage runoff water.
Water that puddles on your driveway will cause cracks that can eventually lead to structural damage over time. To avoid this, check your downspouts make sure they empty to your yard and not towards your driveway.
And if there is a culvert in your driveway, then you will need to consider culvert repair too. Even if a culvert is structurally sound, culvert rehabilitation methods such as relining can still help increase the life-use of the culvert. Most culverts that need repair have been in service for 30-50 years.
#4 Protect the edges of your driveway.
The most vulnerable part of your driveway is the edges. They can easily fall off and crumble if subjected to excessive force or weight so avoid parking in these areas. Another tip to protect your driveway is by landscaping the surrounding areas by leveling the surface and adding new topsoil to the same height as your newly paved driveway. Placing stones or rocks on the edges would also give the same support to keep the asphalt edge in place.
#5 Select the right type of de-icing agent.
Rock salt is a common de-icing agent that lowers the freezing point thereby melting the ice and snow on your driveway. Although commonly used, rock salt is not particularly healthy for your driveway as it corrodes metal thereby damaging your asphalt or concrete driveway. As an alternative, you can use sand instead of salt to increase traction.
Preventing your driveway from falling into disrepair is easy if you can consistently follow these 5 quick and easy tips. However, if you already have an asphalt driveway that is in need of serious repair, it might be time to consult with a professional paving contractor.
As for paving companies who are looking to scale their businesses, book a consultation with https://www.pavingdomination.com/ and double your sales.
