Concrete surfaces are durable, which is why they tend to be used rather frequently. However, it is important to note that there is still some maintenance that is necessary to care appropriately for your concrete driveway, especially during the winter. The driveway is designed to withstand the weight of your vehicle, but it should still be cared for to prolong its lifetime and minimize potential issues. Our team at Sierra Vista Maintenance can provide you with the right services to maintain your driveway. Here are a few steps you should take to help care for your concrete driveway during the winter.
Keep your Driveway Clean
Foreign particles that accumulate on your driveway can ultimately lead to a great deal of damage. Some of these particles will eat away at the surface of your driveway, which will weaken the structure and cause it to be vulnerable to additional damage. When you keep your driveway clean and clear of these particles, you will be able to reduce the likelihood of this damage. Pressure washing can be an excellent strategy for caring for your concrete driveway. With our pressure washing services, you can be confident that layers of dirt and grime are being removed from the surface of your driveway. You should also have driveway cleaning services to further protect your driveway.
Remove Debris
The accumulation of debris can be another potentially damaging thing for your driveway. When you notice that debris has grown on the surface of your driveway, you will want to have it removed quickly in order to minimize potential problems. Thorough cleaning can also be helpful in this situation. It is also important to note that your driveway is intended to hold the weight of your vehicle. It is not intended to house heavy vehicles, like moving vans or other extremely heavy equipment. This can lead to additional damage to your driveway.
Reapply Sealer
Sealing concrete services can be an important part of ensuring that they are protected. A concrete surface will have to have this sealer reapplied on a relatively regular basis. This will help to ensure that it is as durable and well-protected as possible. Whenever you start to see problems with your driveway, it will often be useful to ensure that it has been sealed recently.
Remove Stains Promptly
Stains can lead to further damage to the driveway surface. For example, oil from cars can cause deterioration to concrete. When you notice the formation of these stains, you will want to ensure that you have them removed as quickly as possible. With fast stain removal, you will be able to reduce the likelihood of potential problems that can impact the condition of your driveway.
Avoid the Use of Deicing Chemicals
The use of deicing chemicals is a big mistake in the winter. While they can be a relatively convenient way to reduce ice that is present on the surface of your driveway, they can also cause an extreme amount of damage to your driveway. In most situations, you should use sand instead. This will help to provide additional traction to your driveway, without causing any damage to the surface of your concrete. Harsh chemicals are not good things to regularly expose your driveway to.
Be Careful When Shoveling
Shoveling can cause damage to your concrete driveway when you are being particularly careless. For example, the use of particularly sharp tools can scratch the surface of your driveway. By taking care and only using the appropriate tools, you can help to minimize this damage. This is why a snow shovel should be used rather than a traditional shovel. They are also more effective for snow removal, so it is easier to use the right tools in the first place. Take care to prevent damage whenever removing snow from the surface of your driveway.
The right steps can go a long way toward caring for your concrete driveway during the winter and minimizing damage it can possibly face. Our team at Sierra Vista Maintenance can help to provide you with the ideal services to protect your driveway. For more information about the right steps to care for your concrete driveway, contact us at Sierra Vista Maintenance today!