Winter Care Tips for a Concrete Driveway

Maintaining the appearance of your concrete driveway is crucial in preserving your home’s curb appeal. But did you know that every homeowner has several tasks that are necessary to perform to prepare your concrete for winter? Unfortunately, many people are unaware that concrete needs to be maintained outside of an occasional pressure washing. Winter is the best time to accomplish this in Florida because there is less rain and humidity in the air to interfere with the process. Following these, below are some of the most common problems people face and how to maintain your driveway.

Cracks

There are many different types of surface damage. This includes what many people think of as cracks, which are spiderweb-like fractures in the surface of your driveway. If you have already noticed cracks, there are products such as Quikrete crack sealant, a filler you can purchase at your local hardware store to fill the crack permanently. This product is good for cracks up to ½ inches wide. It comes in a couple of varieties, depending on the extent of your cracking. And it is made to blend in with the natural color and texture of concrete. Once the cracks are filled, you can seal them to prevent further wear and tear.

Scaling and Spalling your Concrete Driveway

Other types of concrete surface damage include scaling and spalling, which are similar in that they appear like a peeled-off section of the surface of the concrete. At times it can be so extensive that it gives the concrete surface a speckled appearance. The difference between scaling and spalling is the depth to which they occur. Scaling is general very shallow while spalling is much deeper. Scaling generally occurs in the middle of the driveway, away from any seams or edges. Spalling occurs on the edges or around seams and joints. Quikrete also makes a product known as concrete resurfacer for scaling or spalling to help repair the damage. Again, once completed, you can seal over it to help prevent any future damage.

Sealing

We have already mentioned sealing your concrete a couple of times, but it bears repeating. Having your concrete sealed helps to prevent moisture and heat from degrading your concrete. This is one of the most important tasks you can do as a homeowner to extend the life of your concrete. It seems many people are under the impression that concrete lasts forever, but that is simply not the case. Concrete driveways have an average lifespan of around 25 years. However, with proper care, including regular seal coating, your driveway could last as long as 50 years! If you wish to avoid the expense of pouring a new driveway any time soon, then you must keep up with regular maintenance. Take the time this winter to clean your driveway, fill any cracks, repair any scaling and spalling, then seal your driveway to ensure that it not only looks its best but also lasts for many years to come. These simple tasks will also keep your home looking its best as well.