Simple Ways To Renew Your Driveway
Easy Ways To Renew Your Driveway
When your driveway has been in use for a long time, it is all too easy for it to start looking a little worn and tired. So, you may feel like the time has come to breathe some new life into it. However, you may also not have the funds available to go for a complete driveway renovation. Never fear; there are plenty of ways that you can renew your driveway, and we are going to discuss a few of your main options in the following blog post.
Inspect Your Driveway
Before you get started on your driveway, you need to take the time to assess what actually needs to be done. This often comes after winter is over – particularly if your driveway has been caked in ice and snow for several months. There is always that chance that you are going to find cracks in the surface. Other issues may include soil shifting due to freeze-thaw cycles, depressions, or dips. Also, if you have put in a deicer, you may find that the ammonium has caused peeling or flaking.
Give the Driveway a Thorough Cleaning
Once you have given your driveway the inspection that it needs, the next obvious step to take is to give it a proper cleaning. One of the easiest and most effective ways of doing this is with a power washer. Whether you use a gas power washer or simply an attachment that hooks onto your garden hose, this device takes a lot of the labor out of cleaning your driveway. If you have ever attempted to do this by hand, you will be all too familiar with what a tough and time-consuming task it can be!
Sort Out the Surrounding Plants and Garden
The act of renewing your driveway doesn’t only have to take place on the surface itself. A lot of the visual appearance can be improved with some simple garden maintenance. So, make sure that everything is properly watered and plant some new flowers for the season ahead. When a driveway is surrounded by life and color, this can automatically serve to make it much more appealing to the world around.
Deal with Any Driveway Damage
Now, you may find that there is some driveway damage that requires some more care and attention to put right. Sometimes, a simple cleaning job cannot cover everything. If you have noticed any cracks on the surface of the driveway, you should get them dealt with at the earliest possible opportunity. Even the smallest cracks can develop into something disastrously large if left for an extended period of time. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. When you are making your repairs, instead of using regular concrete, you should opt for a crack filler that has been specially formulated. When you have finished with this stage, the time has come to apply some concrete sealer, which will help to prevent damage further down the line.
Consider Resurfacing
If you find that your driveway is still not looking as you would like, you may need to take more drastic action to put it right again. Resurfacing the concrete may be your best move. Essentially, this means putting an extra layer over your existing driveway. In fact, it is the kind of job that can be completed by DIY-enthusiasts and can be completed in a single day. You don’t necessarily need any unique skills or expensive equipment to complete the task. However, it is a job that requires patience and a steady hand. You need to go over everything carefully to ensure that there are no bumps and cracks that can cause problems further down the line.
Prevent Damage from Occurring in the Future
If you take a bit of extra effort to prevent damage from occurring in the future, this helps out significantly and will save you plenty of time and effort. One of the best ways of doing this is by sealing it up. You can simply buy a driveway sealant from your local DIY store if you want to take the simple approach, but these often end up needing to be reapplied every few years. Alternatively, you can purchase some specialist sealant products, which are more likely to stand the test of time. Some of them even come with their own applicators and clear instructions on what you need to do, which can end up making your life an awful lot easier.
As you can see from the range of solutions discussed above, there is plenty that you can do to renew your driveway – ranging from the simple and affordable to the more complex and expensive. Ultimately, you need to assess what needs to be done carefully before settling on a decision that works best for your home and driveway.