There’s no question that driveways are one of the most high-traffic areas of a house. While you may overlook your driveway on a daily basis, the reality is that it requires routine maintenance just like other parts of your property. Here at Concrete Leveling Technologies in Austin, we want to help you properly care for your driveway so you avoid spending a pretty penny on future repairs.
Check out these five tips to help you maintain your driveway.
Prevent cracks
Sealing concrete once a year prevents water from penetrating, freezing, and cracking. Even though we don’t have much of a winter in Austin, it’s worth mentioning the average low temperature in January tops out around 42 degrees, with a hard freeze possible as early as November. These cold temperatures can do quite the number on concrete over time.
Climate isn’t the only thing that can cause cracks in your driveway. Believe it or not, tree and shrub roots may cause cracks just by pushing up from underneath the surface. That’s why we suggest either removing any trees near your driveway or having their roots trimmed away.
Fill cracks
Let’s say you’re diligent about preventing cracks in your concrete yet notice a few in your driveway. Unless you want the crack to grow and become even more of a problem, be sure to patch it immediately. Pro tip: use a masonry chisel to remove loose materials and brush out the debris before applying a patching compound. Once the compound dries, seal your entire driveway, double-checking that it’s smooth and level for your family and guests.
Keep water to a minimum
We get it — you aren’t able to stop Mother Nature from drenching your driveway. But you can reduce the chance of rain penetrating the surface by clearing a three-inch strip around the driveway’s edges. This does a surprisingly effective job of allowing water to run off your driveway. Speaking of rainfall, it’s worth your time to see that your downspouts empty into the yard rather than onto your driveway. The more you can keep water off this space, the better.
Protect the edges
We tend to think of driveways being indestructible. Many Austin homeowners don’t realize that these spaces aren’t designed for heavy vehicles or machinery. In fact, the edges of your driveway may start to chip under excessive weight. So do your best to park your vehicle in the center of your driveway as much as possible. You should also kindly ask any contractors to avoid parking in this space if they have a large truck.
Clean it
There’s nothing more unsightly than a giant stain on your driveway. Whether it was caused by motor oil, radiator fluid, or another similar substance, make it a priority to remove the stain as soon as possible. Our concrete leveling experts recommend using non-clumping kitty litter to absorb fresh oil, followed by grease-cutting detergent and warm water. Older stains can be removed with a combination of biodegradable cleaners and good old-fashioned elbow grease! Just don’t use a wire brush, as it can damage your driveway’s surface.
Get a Free Concrete Leveling Assessment
Here at Concrete Leveling Technologies, we understand the challenges and complexities of concrete. Our team is backed by years of experience and will walk you through every step of your repair work. As Austin residents ourselves, we go above and beyond to treat every customer like family.
You can count on Concrete Leveling Technologies for affordable, environmentally-friendly concrete services. See what our friendly professionals can do for you — get in touch with us today for concrete repair!
