Many of us are crazy about cars and have high standards reflected in our choices.
But, for households in Connecticut, you have to maintain the package that comes along, an essential part of the driveway.
Several options for the material are available, but none can save you from investing time and money in managing it.
There are cracks, stains, weeds, and more that leave the driveway vulnerable to damages. Yet the only way to deal with them is through timely maintenance and care.
There are also factors like aesthetics, cost, and durability while choosing the material. Stone, for instance, is the most durable but also the most expensive because of its ability to blend in.
Asphalt gives a bump to the aesthetics, but it demands you to compromise on the durability. Other choices are concrete, gravel, and bricks.
Each one of these materials comes with its own set of maintenance regulations and disadvantages. Some are slippery, so you might want to avoid casually walking on them.
Others are challenging to maintain during the winters and require professional assistance to install and manage.
Luckily for you, you can find experts for driveway paving in Stamford, CT, with decades of experience. So that takes care of one of your problems.
As far as your role is concerned, here is an essential guide for maintaining your driveway through every step. It should help you minimize the expenses and avoid any untimely repairs.
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1. Deal with the Cracks
Since driveways are outside, they are always taking the full brunt of the weather. Some drastic seasonal shifts can cause the surface to expand and contract due to freezing and thawing.
That process can open up cracks in your driveway, which grow if you leave them unattended.
There’s also a good chance that some wild roots find their way up from those cracks. That’s why you should avoid planting trees near them and make sure to fill all spaces in the driveway as soon as they appear.
2. Control the Flow of Water
Your driveway may have lots of water running on it because of the snow and downspouts. While it may seem harmless, the same water can penetrate the surface and cause the driveway to erode from inside.
That can leave you with not just cracks but potholes and pits.
Make sure that you avoid that from happening by keeping a system to get rid of it. An ideal solution is to arrange a runoff area around the edges for water and snow.
You can also look into directing the water from downspouts into the yard instead of the driveway. That should extend its life and improve its sustainability.
3. Avoid Salting the Cement
Avoid the use of cement salt and chemical de-icers on your driveway surfaces. These products may be ideal against ice but will also damage the tracks and cause cracks.
That’s why people suggest using alternatives like the coffee ground, cat litter, or sand to make the driveway less slippery with the snow.
For melting purposes, you can refrain from heavy-duty material and prefer using something like sugar beet juice. Spraying it on the ice can bring down its melting point significantly.
And since this technique is effective under super-low temperatures, it’s a great choice to consider.
4. Careful Ice Plowing
Next, remember that the driveway is not your yard or lawn that you can shovel around without second thoughts. Its surface could be delicate, and you might damage it if you are careless with your actions.
That’s why you need to gently plow the ice and avoid using sharp or heavy items for the job.
It is preferable to shovel it using a plastic shovel to get close to the ground. Remove the ice that you separated using another tool and then get back to repeating the same practice.
It could be time-consuming, but it’s the only way you know that you are not digging into the driveway.
5. Mind the Edges
The design of a driveway is broad on purpose so that the driver doesn’t strain the edges. That’s because they are the weakest part of the structure and start to chip away after a while. That causes substances to penetrate the tracks, cause cracks, and damage them from within.
Make sure that you are mindful of this detail and never park on them. Also, try to keep it happening during the remodeling projects or some other work by construction vehicles.
It’s easy to neglect with all the commotion and would cause you some distress afterward.
6. Cleaning the Driveway
Cleaning might be the most crucial aspect of maintaining a driveway efficiently. Regardless of the material of the driveway, it is likely to experience oil spills and other stains. These things can become difficult to clean if you leave them unattended for too long, so best take care of them at your earliest.
Weed out any plants that you see growing through the driveway. If it’s gravel, then make sure to rake it occasionally to keep the surface level.
You can rinse the asphalt to clear out any stains, but bricks need sweeping and powerful wet cleaning. These should help it to retain its impressive state.
Particularly for concrete and asphalt surfaces, you must apply a sealing coat to cover wear and tear signs. Even if they are not visible, you should still do it periodically to maintain their shape.
Summary
These were pointers that sum up the essential guide for driveway repairs. Make sure that you pay close attention to areas discussed in it and consciously avoid running into them.
Take whatever measures you can, but remember to hire professional services when needed or due. That will allow you to overcome any possible impending damages that might haven’t surfaced. Avoid delaying a necessary arrangement while looking after it, or you might regret that decision.
