Tips To Maintain Concrete Driveways And Walkways
Concrete driveways are a leading choice in both commercial and residential spaces because it requires the least amount of maintenance as compared to other materials. While it is true that concrete requires a very small amount of upkeep, but it also requires a certain amount of maintenance from time to time to avoid big concrete repairs in Denver.
Concrete driveways and walkways are highly durable, which is why they are such a popular choice, but they also require some routine care to last a long time. Maintaining a concrete driveway is quite easy, allow you need to do is follow these expert tips.
Patch All The Small Cracks
Over the course of use, the concrete may develop some cracks or chip here and there and as soon as you notice such tiny damages, patch them up so that they do not lead to bigger damage in the future. Fix the damages before the winter months as water and snow can cause further damages to the concrete surface. To patch the cracks, first sweep and clean the surface with a pressure washer. This is will get rid of all the debris from the surface. Once the surface is dry, apply patching material in the cracks and holes and let it dry. Once the patching has completely dried apply a coat of sealant over the patching.
Keep The Driveway Clean
It goes without saying that you should always keep your driveway clean. Whether your driveway is made of concrete or any other construction material and is subjected to oil spills and grease, etc from automobiles, and as such you need to clean them from time to time. If you do not clean away the oil spills, grease, and grime from your driveway it can lead to forming a permanent stain that will spoil your Denver commercial landscaping. In order to prevent such stains from spoiling the look of your driveway, you should have them clean before they leave a permanent mark on the surface. When removing stains, if the staining liquid is still on the surface, remove it first with the help of sawdust. Leave the sawdust on the liquid for a day so that it absorbs all the oil from the surface and then you can pressure wash the surface of the concrete.
Seal The Concrete
If water can somehow seep in the concrete surface it can lead to cracks and chipping in the winter months. To prevent this from happening, you can take protective measures to prevent the cracks from forming. Applying sealant on the concrete surface can prevent the cracks from forming, especially in the winter. Properly clean and wash the driveway to remove all dirt, debris, and grime from it. Power washing is a great way to clean concrete surfaces. Once the driveway is nicely clean and dry, apply a layer of commercial-grade sealant so that you can prevent the cracks from forming.
Park Properly
Heavy vehicle traffic can cause cracks and chips in certain parts of the concrete surface and you will require concrete repairs in Denver to fix the problems. To prevent this from happening learn to park your vehicles the right way. Even though concrete is a highly durable material, the construction is a bit weak near the edges, and parking the vehicle near the edges can put heavy pressure on the weak section of the driveway and thus lead to damage. This can be prevented by parking the vehicles away from the edge of the driveway.
Remove Snow Carefully
There are many de-icing products available in the market that allows you easy snow removal. Some people also like to use salt for the purpose. While this does make snow removal easier but it can be harmful to the concrete surface. Using de-icers to remove snow causes spalling and scaling of the concrete and if the concrete is newly laid, it is most likely to be easily damaged by salt or other chemical products. To prevent these damages use a plastic shovel or a snowblower to clear the snow.