Concrete driveways are the epitome of style and functionality. Aside from being tough as nails and weather-resistant, they come in a wide range of looks, textures, and colors so that every homeowner can find their perfect stylistic fit. No wonder those who have a concrete driveway installed frequently say it’s their favorite part of their home!

As strong and pretty as your concrete driveway installation may be, just like any renovation, it needs care to keep looking its best. We’ve got a few tips on that below.

WATCH WHAT PARKS THERE

While sometimes it’s unavoidable, it’s generally best to avoid heavier vehicles parking on your stamped concrete driveway. We’re not talking about pickups or commuter cars – your decorative concrete was made to handle those!

We’re referring to vehicles that carry huge loads, including but not limited to:

●        Moving trucks

●        Garbage trucks

●        School buses

●        Propane trucks

Over time, these large vehicles can put excessive strain on your driveway. So when your gas needs filling, see if your servicemen can park on the street if at all possible.

KEEP UP WITH SEALING

When your local concrete company installed your concrete driveway, it probably was sealed. This would have looked somewhat like laying down a paint job with a roller or sprayer.

Sealant keeps your concrete safe from countless threats, including bad weather and oil stains, but it doesn’t last forever. A penetrating sealant should be reapplied roughly once every five to seven years. Don’t worry; it’s easy! We’ve even written blogs all about it.

Check out How to Reseal Traditional Concrete and How to Reseal Concrete Patios, Walkways, and Stoops.

BE WARY OF DE-ICERS

Products that melt ice don’t keep working forever. Eventually, the liquid they melted will refreeze. When this happens over and over again, it can prove damaging to your stamped concrete driveway. Instead of harsh de-icers, consider products that provide traction instead.

Sand, for example, can give your feet and wheels enough grip while sitting safely on top of the ice and not corroding your concrete driveway. Keeping up with snow shoveling is also important, as it prevents powder from solidifying into something much more slick.

STAY ON TOP OF STAINS

Your concrete goes through a lot, so it’s made to handle a lot—but just like your kitchen floor, if stains are left to sit, they can prove difficult to remove, even with the highest-quality sealer. This is especially an issue if you park your cars outside. Oil stains are no joke!

You’re also likely to encounter more issues with discoloration if you don’t stay on top of your sealing. Concrete is porous, meaning it has imperceptible gaps in it throughout—making unsealed concrete prime real estate for stains. You can learn more about concrete’s porosity in this post by Concrete Questions.

How to best remove a given stain depends on your concrete’s type and texture. Chat with your local concrete contractor for situation-specific advice. For stains you’ve caught early, a bit of scrubbing with a push-broom will often do the trick. Just don’t reach for your pressure washer; we cover why in our blog on the topic.

TAKE CARE WITH CRACKS

As we covered in our blog on the topic, concrete cracks are simply unavoidable, and anything from shifting soil to excessive heat can cause them. Therefore, most concrete cracks are zero cause for concern—except, of course, cosmetically.

But if you can drop a nickel in the crack, it needs to be professionally seen, lest it widens and become something that may necessitate a full-out replacement of the structure.

Luckily, concrete crack repair tends to be much simpler than pouring an entirely new structure, and the pros have a variety of products at their disposal to complete the job. If you’re ever concerned about the severity of your concrete driveway’s cracks or if they could compromise its looks or integrity over time, phone your concrete contractor. They will inform you how best to proceed.

CREATIVE CONCRETE: YOUR NEW BRIGHTON CONCRETE PROS

From patios to pool decks, we’re well-versed in everything concrete. Taking advantage of this stylistically versatile material, we’ve created a dream yard for many Minnesotan families, and we’d be happy to add yours to the list. Give our New Brighton Office a call today at 612-414-7932.