Driveway Maintenance and Design

Sealing a paved driveway is the best method for protecting the surface against everyday wear and tear. Without a sealant, UV rays and ice will cause cracking and warping of asphalt and concrete pavement. Sealants are not 100% effective in preserving the condition of your driveway, and it is not uncommon to notice damages between resurfacing jobs. Over application of sealant, extreme weather conditions and the heavy weight of vehicles will cause unattractive peeling and cracking. Oil and rust stains may also present themselves on concrete surfaces. Individual cracks are easily filled with either blacktop or grout depending in the parent material, and stains are best removed with a pressure washer and home remedies. http://www.ehow.com/how_113258_clean-oil-spots.html

Asphalt driveways are cheap and quick to install, flexible and non-slippery for travel, and have a sleek appearance when new. Prior to paving, the contractor ensures that the underlay gravel is quality enough to withstand the process that takes a few hours. You should allow your driveway to dry for three days before walking or driving on it. After one year apply the initial sealant and re-seal every three years thereafter. Fill small cracks that arise in the interim with asphalt or “blacktop”, deeper faults should be filled partially with gravel and covered in asphalt. Sweeping or hosing down your driveway with soapy water will get rid of debris and spills. Luckily stains from spills are not noticeable on dark colored asphalt.

Concrete driveways are a few dollars more per sq ft than asphalt, but will last 10 years longer.  Prior to pouring the concrete, the quality of the soil needs to be tested. If it is soft, then a gravel rock bedding is required to keep the driveway level. Concrete dries at different rates depending on the climate, but sealant should be applied 24 hours after completion and re-applied every one to two years. Prior to application, sweep debris from the surface, remove stains as best as possible, and make sure that the surface is dry. If small cracks develop, they can be filled with textured caulk or pourable grout. Concrete slabs and stamped concrete are also used for driveways. “Stamping ” concrete involves imprinting a brick design on poured concrete. Though this process does liven up dull concrete, the entire driveway has to be re-built rather than re-sealed if damaged. Individual concrete pavers are a better option if you desire a design.

Interlock driveways built with concrete and stone pavers are becoming increasingly popular.  The surface is more durable and thus requires less maintenance then paved driveways – cracking does not occur as water is properly absorbed through the sand joints, and repairs simply involve replacing a damaged paver with a new one.  Concrete pavers are comparable in price per sq ft to paved or slab concrete. Traditionally interlock was built of bricks, but the beveled edges and variety of shapes and colors of pavers allow for more design variety. Stone pavers or paving stones cost anywhere from $10 to $25 per sq. ft depending on the quality (flagstone, bluestone, slate etc.), and will create a sleek look.

Regardless of the type of driveway material you choose, the key to keeping up the appearance and value of your home is proper maintenance.

DID YOU KNOW?

-          Driveways require a 2% slope for proper water drainage

-          Asphalt and concrete roads and driveways are a main cause of “Urban Heating”

Tags: driveway, interlock, paving