Whether you want to enhance your home’s curb appeal or the cracks in the driveway are simply driving you mad, it may be time to turn your attention to how you can clean, maintain, and repair your driveway.
First, let’s discuss some of the causes of driveway damage. The most common culprit is the freeze-thaw effect. This occurs in the wintertime, when melting snow fills cracks in the driveway. Water expands as it freezes, so once temperatures drop below freezing that melted snow becomes ice that expands, often causing your driveway to crack and crumble. From here it’s a vicious cycle—the additional cracks provide even more room for wintry water to settle, freeze, and wreak havoc on your driveway.
But what causes those cracks to form in the first place? Poor drainage is one problem, so make certain water from your gutters, downspouts, sprinklers, and hoses run away from your driveway. And take care with landscaping—if you plant trees or shrubs too close to the driveway their roots may push up through the surface, causing cracking and crumbling. In areas that receive heavy snow, snow blowing or shoveling can also lead to cracks and holes if you’re not careful with blades or shovels that are sharp. Salting in the winter also contributes to driveway decay.
Regular cleaning and maintenance can help ward off driveway problems before they start. As soon as you notice fresh oil or grease stains, top them with sawdust, cornmeal, or kitty litter for a few hours to help absorb the oil or grease, then sweep the area. For set-in stains, scrubbing with water and a soft brush may do the trick. Or try these heavy-duty options. At least once a year—after you’ve spot-cleaned stains—consider using a leaf blower to remove leaves and debris and a pressure washer to clean the entire driveway surface.
As soon as you see driveway blemishes such as cracks or holes, fill them so they don’t worsen. Minor damage is relatively easy to repair on your own, but if you driveway has major fissures or holes you’ll probably want to enlist the help of a pro to replace the whole thing.
Before repairing your driveway, clear the cracks of plants and debris, hose the area down, and spray weed killer. For concrete, fill narrow cracks that are less than one-quarter inch with liquid crack filler (available at hardware stores and home centers) or apply concrete to the blemish with a trowel. For larger cracks, the repair process requires a bit more attention.
Fixing damage to an asphalt driveway is similar to repairing concrete. Fix cracks that are less than one-half inch wide with asphalt crack filler. For deeper cracks, use a trowel to fill the crack with a mix of sand and blacktop sealer. Larger holes or dents may require shoveling cold-patch asphalt into the hole and compressing it with a tamping tool. Check out this entertaining and informative read about repairing asphalt driveways for more info.
Every few years, it also pays to seal your concrete or asphalt, which can help prevent water damage and stains. After your driveway is repaired, clean, and dry, use a paint roller to apply the sealer following the manufacturer’s instructions. Watch the weather before applying—you’ll want a rain-free forecast with temps at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for at least 36 hours. And remember to allow the sealer to set for 24 hours before you begin using the driveway again.
Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All
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