n part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the top threats facing your concrete driveway’s structural and aesthetic integrity. There are several potential causes and exacerbators of cracks and other damage that may form in your driveway, but the right attention and upkeep can prevent this from becoming an issue.
At Lift-Up Concrete, we offer several concrete repair services to assist you in this area, including commercial and residential concrete lifting and leveling. In addition to these services, there are several things you can do – with help from our pros, if needed – to limit damage risks on your driveway and keep it looking and performing good as new. Here are some general tips.
Standard Cleaning and Maintenance
For starters, the more general attention you pay to your driveway and other concrete areas, the less risk there is for built-up issues you’re unaware of. Cleaning and regularly inspecting the driveway will not only keep it looking great and maintain your property’s curb appeal, but will allow you to spot the very earliest risk signs.
While cleaning the driveway, for instance, you might notice a tree root at the edge of your grass that’s threatening to grow into the concrete space. Unlike many other homeowners who don’t pay attention to the driveway, you’ll have the time to address the issue before it leads to cracking or other concrete damage.
Stain Removal
Down similar lines, any stains that happen to make their way onto (or into) the driveway should be addressed quickly. You wouldn’t leave a stain on your new pants, and you don’t want to leave them on a driveway either. Leaving stains like oil, grease or gas on the driveway will make them far harder to clean later on, and could even lead to minor corrosion or wear issues.
Sealer Application
Down similar lines, sealer is a very important consideration for many driveway spaces. Our pros are happy to explain which kind of sealer is best for your surface, plus how often it needs to be applied to prevent various elements or damage risks. Sealers prevent everything from water and oil to sunlight and air from penetrating layers of concrete they aren’t supposed to hit.
Heavy Equipment
Particularly if your driveway is on the older side, but really at any time, it’s good to keep an eye on the weight loads it’s being asked to handle. If you’re regularly placing heavy loads on the space, such as large vehicles, construction equipment or many other types, the strain will have a cumulative impact. Driveways that deal with these heavier loads on a regular basis may require leveling a bit sooner than others that don’t.
For more on the risks facing your driveway and how concrete repair and other basic areas of upkeep can help prevent them, or to learn about any of our concrete leveling services, speak to the staff at Lift-Up Concrete today.
