Here’s How to Keep Your Driveway Looking Great

Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveways

Asphalt and concrete are the most common driveway materials, but they use different adhesives (tar for asphalt and cement for concrete). This means different methods and materials are sometimes used for asphalt driveway repair vs. concrete driveway repair. Asphalt can soften or sag in extreme heat and requires resealing every few years. Asphalt driveway maintenance is easier, and the repairs will blend more seamlessly than with concrete. Concrete lasts longer, but it stains more easily and is subject to cracking in extreme cold.

Mold & Mildew

Common to driveways in shaded areas, mould and mildew are unsightly and potentially damaging. Use a mould-killing detergent or a bleach and water solution (1 cup per gallon, only on concrete). White vinegar is also effective and will avoid harm to any nearby plants.

Fertilizer Stains

Fertilizers can leave rust-like stains on a concrete driveway, which can be permanent if allowed to penetrate. A half-and-half vinegar/water solution may do the trick. If not try muriatic acid diluted 40:1 with water.

Important! Test a small area first as it may etch the concrete.

De-icers

De-icers can damage the surface of your driveway through repeated thawing and refreezing of moisture. They can also wear away your driveway sealer. Consider sand as an alternative for traction during the winter months.

Repairing Your Driveway

Driveway repair isn’t that difficult if you act quickly and use the proper tools and materials. Here’s a rundown of how to prep and repair some common driveway issues.

Prepping Your Driveway for Repair

1. Use a stiff broom or leaf blower to remove all dust, debris and leaves from the area to be repaired.

2. If the area is stained, clean it with a garden hose or pressure washer, allowing plenty of time for water inside the cracks to dry.

3. Use a sidewalk crack weeder or short garden hoe to dig out any vegetation from cracks, potholes and sinkholes.

4. Break up any previous patch materials with a hammer and chisel and remove the debris.

5. Sweep or blow the area clean again.

Sinkholes & Birdbaths

A “birdbath” is a small, shallow depression in your driveway (1-2 inches deep), whereas a sinkhole is deeper and wider. Both can be filled with an asphalt depression filler and leveler, unless cracks are appearing through middle. In this case you’ll need to dig it out and repair it like you would a pothole.

Now that you know how to maintain your driveway, you can see that an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure. Keep to a regular cleaning schedule and address repairs as needed, and you’ll have a great looking driveway for years to come.