How to Make Your Concrete Driveway Last Longer

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Your driveway is an important part of your home. It requires upkeep and care, just like your yard and your house. Driveways do crack and deteriorate over time and will eventually need to be replaced. With that in mind, are there any ways to lengthen the lifetime of a concrete driveway?

The answer is yes.

Pave It Right

The first and most important way to make sure your driveway will last as long as possible is to have it built properly in the first place.

Ballards Asphalt and Concrete knows how to pave a concrete driveway in Austin, TX the right way. We have 25 years of paving experience and we take all the necessary steps to guarantee a job well done. Ensuring proper drainage is important, as water can cause erosion and damage over time. We’ll also make sure the driveway is level and graded correctly. Taking care of these important steps from the get-go will provide for a longer lifetime for your driveway.

Monitor Wood Joints

Another thing that can be done is to monitor the wood joints in between the slabs of concrete. Check that the wood looks good and is not eroding. If you do notice that the wood starts to look eroded or damaged, the wood can be taken out and replaced with a concrete filler. This item can be found at any building supply store and this task can be completed by the homeowner or by a company that does concrete repair in Austin, TX.

Replace Wood Joints

Generally, driveways that are 10 years or older will need the wood replaced. However, this task can be completed at any time, even as early as 30 days after the driveway has been paved. Filling in the seams makes sure that no moisture gets in there, as moisture causes damage. Keeping the joints sealed also ensures structural soundness to the driveway and greatly lessens the occurrence of cracking. So seal those joints.

Keep Trees Away

Finally, never plant a tree close to your driveway! A tree-lined driveway may look nice, but tree roots can cause serious damage to a paved surface. Concrete is tough, but so are trees. Roots can grow up under the driveway and cause cracking and failures. Find a better spot for your fresh sapling.

Following these guidelines can make your concrete driveway last longer. If you need a concrete driveway paving or repair in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville or other nearby cities, contact us at Ballards Asphalt & Concrete. We’d be happy to answer any questions or give you a custom quote.