Driveways are a specific area in your home that is often neglected until they crack or stain. You can make repairs quickly to give them the attention that they need. You can extend the life of your driveway and preserve its beauty for the future. 

 

This will also help you save money over the long term. These are seven tips to help you maintain your concrete driveway and asphalt.

1. Crack Prevention

Preventing cracks in driveways means sealing concrete every year and asphalt every few years. This will keep water from freezing, penetrating, and cracking. Damages can be caused by tree roots and shrubs pushing up from beneath. It is possible to trim or remove trees from driveways.

2. Fill cracks

Repair cracks and holes immediately if they do occur. You can use a masonry tool to remove any loose material and then brush the area with a brush before you apply a patching compound and crack filler. 

 

Seal the driveway after the mixture has dried. Your driveway should be level and smooth to prevent guests from slipping. You can contact professional Pittsburgh driveway repair to fill all the cracks. 

3. Reduce water usage on your driveway

To reduce the chances of snow and water getting on the surface, leave a 2- to 3-inch area around the driveway's edges. Ensure the downspouts drain into the yard and not onto the driveway.

4. Don't salt cement

Chemical deicers and cement salt can cause cracks. Both must be repaired. To make surfaces more slippery, you can use a snowblower, shovel, alfalfa meal, or sand and coffee grounds. 

 

You can melt ice by spraying it with sugar beet syrup. This lowers the melting temperature and is effective at temperatures as low as -20degF.

5. Take care when plowing.

Raise the blade enough to ensure your snow plow doesn't damage driveway surfaces. Use a plastic shovel for snow shoveling to reduce the chance of it catching on your driveway. You can shovel snow to the side or push it away a few inches while moving earthward.

6. Protect the edges

Driveways are not designed to hold heavy trucks, contrary to popular belief. The edges are especially vulnerable to excessive weight and chipping. When you're remodeling your house, make sure to park your car away from the edges.

7. Clean your driveway

Removing motor oil, radiator fluid, and other similar substances from your vehicle's exterior will affect more than its appearance. The oil can penetrate concrete up to a quarter inch deep and soften asphalt. To absorb oil:

 

• Use non-clumping cat litter.

 

• Wash the dish with grease-cutting detergent and rinse it with warm water. You

can scrub the stain with biodegradable, grease-cutting cleaners.

 

• Use a regular scrubber.

 

A wire brush can damage the driveway's surface.