Concrete is one of the most popular materials used in driveway construction as it is highly durable. Moreover, it requires minimal maintenance for it to stay in good condition. Nevertheless, this does not mean that you should neglect to care for your concrete driveway altogether. Negligence leads to concrete repairs that could have easily been prevented if you had kept a closer eye on the concrete. Below are some of the preventative measures that you can take to avoid unnecessary concrete repairs.
Regularly clean and seal your concrete driveway
A misconception some people have is that since their concrete driveway is constantly exposed to dirt, there would be no point of regular cleaning as it would be a redundant task. The reality is that the cleaning process does not simply function to keep the concrete aesthetically appealing. By engaging in regular cleaning, you ensure that debris does not become embedded in the surface of the concrete. Once the particles start penetrating the concrete, inclement weather and heavy traffic can cause cracks to form prematurely. It's prudent to ensure that your concrete driveway is swept on a regular basis.
In addition to cleaning, it is also prudent to seal the concrete every couple of years. Sealing functions to protect your concrete against moisture penetration as well as the harmful ultraviolet rays that it is exposed to. Before sealing, have the concrete pressure washed to ensure that it is completely free of surface debris.
Avoid the use of deicing chemicals
Deicing chemicals are used to eliminate ice from the driveway, and they play an important role. Despite how effective they are, they can prove to be quite detrimental to your concrete driveway. Constant use of the deicing chemicals can cause the concrete driveway to start spalling or scaling, which leads to its premature deterioration. This is because the deicers contain chemicals such as nitrates and ammonium sulphates, which are capable of breaking down the structural bonds of the concrete.
Instead you should opt for calcium chloride or sodium chloride to deice your driveway during the winter. These are not damaging to the concrete. It should be noted that they may be harmful to vegetation that is in close proximity to the driveway. As such, they should be applied with caution if you have any plants or flowers that grow adjacent to your driveway. Additionally, you should ensure that the calcium and sodium chloride do not come into contact with metal components as they can cause corrosion.
Make sure to talk with contractor that offers concrete repairs if your preventative measures aren't enough.
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