Whether you're looking to sell your house or want to make a few upgrades, your home's curb appeal plays a major role in its value. Around 70% of Canadian residents own a car. Your driveway is an essential component of how your home looks.
While your concrete driveway might look a little worse for wear, it's a major investment to replace it each year. Extending the lifespan of your driveway is a great way to give your curb appeal a boost. Ensure your driveway lasts for many years while improving the appearance of it and your home.
This guide will discuss how to extend the lifespan of your driveway. Stay on top of the care and maintenance of your home to increase its value.
Schedule Routine Driveway Maintenance
A professional concrete driveway maintenance company can help you stay on top of cracks and other imperfections. How often you schedule maintenance appointments depends a lot on where you live.
Driveways in more humid climates will need additional maintenance. That's because concrete absorbs more moisture than driveways in drier climates.
Some of the benefits you can experience with regular concrete driveway care include the following:
Decreased erosion from rainwater
Reduced damage from that salt in winter ice melt products
Lessen concrete deterioration from UV exposure
Prevent stains from seeping in
Fill cracks before they get bigger
Apply Concrete Sealant
Concrete releases a good portion of the water that was mixed in during its initial curing process. That makes concrete more susceptible to absorbing water and other liquids. Any water that seeps into the concrete might contain some of these harmful substances:
Carbon dioxide
Salt
Other acidic compounds
These items can cause corrosion in your driveway as they get absorbed into it. A sealant coat will protect your driveway against water and other materials. It'll also prevent stains from occurring, dramatically extending the lifespan of your concrete driveway.
Keep in mind that concrete sealants aren't designed to last forever. They'll need to be reapplied every few years.
Be Careful Removing Snow
We see a lot of snow each winter in Alberta. Removing snow from your driveway can take a long time, but it's important to get rid of it right away.
However, some chemical removers and salt can be harsh on concrete. They might even eat away at the concrete sealant.
A metal snow shovel can scratch or chip away at your concrete driveway. We recommend using a plastic snow shovel or snowblower to remove snow and ice from your driveway. Gently scoop the snow so you don't damage the surface of your driveway.
Partner With an Experienced Concrete Driveway Company
We hope our concrete driveway tips have helped you learn how to better take care of your driveway. Concrete driveway care doesn't have to be complicated or a lot of work. By staying on top of your driveway maintenance, you can prevent costly problems and extend its lifespan.
Champion Concrete offers a wide range of services for our customers in Alberta. Should you need help with driveway maintenance or want to replace your current one, we're here to assist. Reach out to us to learn more.