A stunning addition to any home when installed professionally, concrete walkways, driveways and patios can also increase a homes’ functionality from an external perspective, and make getting to and around the property, a lot safer and comfortable.
However, when poorly maintained, concrete areas around a home can quickly begin to look drab and tired, and if really neglected, they can even become a health and safety concern.
To preserve the concrete paved areas around your home and keep them in pristine condition for longer, here are some helpful tips:
- Keep them clean
It’s normal for concrete paved areas to accumulate dust, dirt and debris over time, but this should never be left to build up on the surface and cause staining. With a power washer and an appropriate cleaning solution, you can clean concrete areas around your home as and when necessary. If grease or oil have leaked onto any of the surfaces, be sure to clean this up as soon as possible to prevent permanent staining.
- Seal them
Sealants can help protect concrete areas from staining and harsh environmental factors, and while not essential, can be beneficial when applied every couple of years.
- Keep de-icing chemicals away
De-icing solutions can cause concrete to scale and peel, but if you must use them in extreme wintry conditions, be sure to choose one that doesn’t contain harmful ammonium sulfates or nitrates. Note also that newly laid concrete should never be exposed to de-icing products, as it is far less likely to stand up to it, than weathered concrete.
- Keep plants under control
The roots of trees and shrubs can easily start to push concrete up and cause it to crack, and once it’s cracked, there’s nothing left to do but fully replace it. Take care not to plant larger greenery too close to your concrete patio, driveway or walkways, and if they are already there, consider removing and replanting them to save the cost of potential future repairs.
- Get problem areas repaired swiftly
If your concrete has already started to fracture, crumble or disintegrate, you should try to address the problem quickly to prevent further damage, by having a paving contractor or construction company come out to assess and repair it. remember that weather conditions can accelerate problems in concrete, so don’t let Mother Nature be the reason for your big repair bill!
- Avoid overloading them
Driveways are most commonly associated with heavy loads, such as vehicles, and while concrete driveways are designed to be capable of withstanding such weight, anything heavier, such as industrial machinery or a large truck, should not be parked on it, and may cause it to crack or subside. The same applies to excessively heavy loads on your concrete walkways and patios.
To keep your concrete walkways in pristine condition, make your stunning concrete driveway the first thing people notice when they approach your home, and be able to enjoy your patio during BBQ season, it’s important to take these simple steps to protect and preserve them.