Aggregate concrete driveways can last a very long time if you take good care of them. As much as they are solid and long-lasting, they require some attention, without which they’ll soon lose their vibrancy and appeal, making your property look old and unaesthetic.
Getting a new aggregate concrete driveway doesn’t come cheap, so if you’ve recently got a new one, you might be looking for a guide to help you retain the appearance and appeal of your new driveway.
We’ve listed down aggregate concrete driveway maintenance and cleaning tips that will help you maintain it and keep it as good as new for the longest!
Clean Your Aggregate Concrete Driveway Clean
One way to keep your aggregate concrete driveway looking as good as new is to clean it regularly. It’s important that you sweep it regularly to get rid of any debris (old leaves, twigs, etc.) It would be best if you also made it a practice to wash the driveway with a hose every few weeks.
However, your concrete driveway isn’t just exposed to debris and dirt that can be swept and washed away easily, but it’s also bound to get tough stains like oil, grease, and tire marks. These are more stubborn stains and won’t go away just by simple washing.
To get rid of these stains, you’ll need to power-wash your aggregate concrete driveway with hot water. Pouring hot water onto the concrete driveway will loosen any oils or grease that the driveway may have soaked. Add a suitable de-greaser to the water that washes away the grease or oil once it’s lifted off the driveway.
If the stains are old and won’t go away with power washing with hot water, you should smear the stain with a saturated mixture of sawdust with a solvent like acetone. The solvent will break the oil, and sawdust will pull it out of the concrete. Cover the driveway with plastic and let the mixture do its job. This method will take longer, but it’ll help you get rid of more stubborn stains.
Seal the Driveway
Another very important aggregate concrete driveway maintenance tip is to seal the driveway surface with a suitable sealant. The sealant will serve as a protective coat over the driveway and keep any staining agents like oil and grease from seeping into concrete and staining it. Seal-coating will also protect your concrete driveway from damage due to snow (freeze-thaw cycles) and rains. It’ll also prevent the discoloration and damage due to exposure to UV rays of the sun. The seal coating can last for many years, depending on the extent of abrasion it’s exposed to.
A well-maintained aggregate concrete driveway can look as good as new for as long as 25 years. If you don’t look after it, it’ll soon start looking old and worn out.
If you’re looking for the best driveway specialists for driveway installation and maintenance, look no further than Prestige Carports and Driveways.