A professionally designed concrete driveway brings out the beauty of a home and enhances convenience. However, your driveway is likely to crack and wear out after some years.
For instance, concrete driveways have a lifetime of 30 years, but longevity depends on many factors. Some of these include the concrete mix used, quality of installation, weather elements and the quality of maintenance.
If your driveway is already showing signs of wearing out, you need to renovate it before the problem worsens. Here are a few factors you need to consider when renovating your driveway.
Renovating Your Concrete Driveway ● 5 Tips from the Pros
Driveway Materials
First, let’s go over the wide variety of materials used to construct driveways, and each has its own merits. The most common materials are:
- Asphalt
- Interlocking pavers
- Gravel
- Concrete
Look for the materials needed for renovation based on your type of driveway. For instance, if you have a concrete driveway, shop for the best sealer to prevent water from seeping into the cracks. A good sealant is capable of protecting your driveway against corrosion, cracking and the formation of mold and algae.
Check out this review of some of the best products to use when sealing your driveway.
Seasonal Timing
When renovating your concrete driveway, you must ensure you are doing it in the most ideal season. Of course, dry weather is the most appropriate to redo your pavements. This is because it enables you to clean up the surface, remove any debris, and apply sealant with ease. It also prevents the mixture of your sealant with water or snow.
Whether you are considering installing fresh concrete or using a sealer, the surface needs enough time to cure. Therefore, schedule the renovation when there is no rain. However, avoid extreme temperatures because this can be equally damaging to your new surface. The most ideal seasons are fall and spring when the temperatures are not too extreme.
Budget Planning
If you are considering redoing your driveway, your budget matters a lot. This is because installing a new driveway might be too costly for you to afford.
If you are working from a smaller budget, the most reasonable thing would be to use a sealer. If a sealer won’t be enough to solve the problem, look to solutions in a new concrete driveway.
Return on Investment
There are instances when people renovate their homes to prepare for the market. If you are considering renovating your driveway prior to an appraisal, you need to weigh the benefits against the cost. For instance, if renovating your pavement will increase the value of your home with a bigger margin compared to the cost incurred, then this would be a wise decision.
Don’t go for expensive renovations that will not give you a good return on investment. Instead, do minor repairs that are more affordable.
Damage Control
Some concrete pavements might be too old, with huge potholes that are difficult to repair. In such cases, minor repairs might not solve the problem completely. The best option would be to consult professional contractors who will install a new driveway.
Because you want your concrete driveway to last for many years, ensure you work with the best professionals. This will save you expenses with short-term maintenance.
Improvements are Key!
Driveway renovation improves the look of your home and guarantees good first impressions from potential buyers. It also improves safety for your entire family. Ensure you carry out your renovation the right way by putting all the above factors into consideration!
We’d love to know how you care for your concrete driveway or what your experiences are in the comment below. We’ve also included some other interesting home design links below for your further enjoyment.
Cover image courtesy of vendor.
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About the Author: Ashley Edwards
