How to maintain your concrete driveway so it lasts

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How to Pick Great Flooring for Home Improvement

The driveway is one part of the home that requires a lot of thought from planning all the way to installation. It’s important that it’s built to be sturdy, as it will have to bear the weight of vehicles and foot traffic of the residents. Apart from that, it also has to be aesthetically pleasing as it is one of the areas that people see when looking at a property.

Apart from picking the right design, the type of materials to be used for your driveway is equally important. Among the many different materials in the market, concrete is one of the best materials you can choose.

Driveways that are built on concrete are sturdy and durable, which means they can bear the weight of the vehicles and daily foot traffic in your property. If you’re living in countries like Australia where temperatures can change drastically, concrete is the best option for you as it can withstand shifts in temperature and climate.

Finding Professional Concreters

When built by professionals, your concrete driveway can last for years without the need for major (and often expensive) fixes. In Brisbane, specifically, there are lots of professional concrete builders and contractors who can work on creating a strong well-built driveway for you.

But it’s important to note that professional concreters have different ways of getting things done especially in driveway projects. This is why it’s important for you to select a contractor who has the experience and industry knowledge to ensure that your driveway is built in the fastest and most efficient way possible.

It’s also good to consult with professional concreters before you decide to begin on any flooring project. You can ask them for expert guidance on how your driveway should be crafted, as well as set realistic expectations regarding the budget, timeline, engineering and maintenance before you begin.

Taking care of Exposed aggregate driveways

Exposed aggregate concrete is one of the highly sought services for constructing driveways in residential properties. It’s attractive, long-wearing, sturdy, and increases grip for your vehicle.

Exposed aggregate concrete is created by exposing concrete and adding pebbles to make a unique surface. If you’re planning to build an exposed aggregate driveway for your property, here are three simple ways that you can take care of it to ensure it lasts long:

Use  a sealer

Concrete, in itself, is a pretty sturdy material that can withstand harmful elements. However, sealing your exposed aggregate driveway allows you to add another layer of protection for your driveway keeping it from wearing and tearing.

Sealers also protect the surface from unsightly stains. It is highly recommended for property owners to reseal their driveways every two years to ensure that the surface stays tough and protected.

Avoid weighing it down

As mentioned earlier, the driveway is one of the areas in every home that should be sturdy as it will have to endure vehicle and human weight. Exposed aggregate concrete can withstand the daily foot traffic as well as the weight of standard private vehicles.

However, it is important to let the installed driveway to be completely treated and dried out before you let  larger vehicle such as a truck park or pass through it. Cracks can form on the ground if larger vehicles weigh down freshly built concrete driveway flooring.

Use the right materials when cleaning stains

Your driveway is bound to get stains, but your manner of cleaning these stains will determine its longevity. Do not use wire brushes or other harsh chemicals and  materials to clean tough stains.

You can simply use water and soap to brush out mud and dirt. You can also use a degreaser and hot water to remove oil stains. For deep cleaning, a pressure washer can clear out deep seated dirt.

Concrete slabs as the next best option for your driveway

Exposed Aggregate concrete is one of the best options if you’re looking for a highly decorative concrete flooring. However, if you prefer a much simpler design, you can also get concrete slabs for your driveway.

Concrete slabs are highly resistant to UV rays, chemicals and temperature changes.With sealers, they can withstand a plethora of harmful elements which ensures its longevity. Aside from that, concrete slabs also provide a smooth underfoot feel, although it can be designed through stencilling to provide definition and increase aesthetic appeal at the same time.

While sealing is necessary to maintain the quality of the driveway by creating an external protective layer, clean up is much easier with concrete  slabs due to the smoother surface. However, like exposed aggregate concrete, sweeping and cleaning with water and soap is necessary to ensure that stains are removed.

Why choose concrete for your driveway

There are a lot of materials to choose from when building your driveway. But among them, concrete remains one of the best as it can provide value for your money. While creating driveways can cost you money like any other home projects, building your driveway using concrete ensures that you won’t be shelling the same amount of money for the same project.

Building a concrete driveway can be a one-time investment as a well-built one usually lasts for decades with proper cleaning and maintenance.  All it really takes is the right plan, right design, and the right builders to help you make the most out of the project.

There are many benefits to using concrete for driveways. But one of the greatest things about it is that concrete never runs out of style. It’s versatile in such a way that it can be styled and decorated in many different ways.

You can choose exposed aggregate, plain or stencilled concrete floor for your driveway — all of which creates a timeless look for the area. With the right builders and care methods, it’s bound to combine its aesthetics, strength and functionality all to your advantage.

Concrete driveway building, when done right, can be a one-time investment that can increase the value of your property. It can add functionality and appeal to your space in a way that doesn’t have to break the bank for you.

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