After a storm sweeps through the city, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to focus their attention on their driveways. It’s important to maintain your driveway even if such an event doesn’t happen. You should clean your driveway at least twice per year if you want the exterior of your home to look beautiful.
Over time, the dirt, grease and other external elements that accumulate on your driveway can cause it to deteriorate. It is therefore a good idea to clean these surfaces and refresh them. There are several ways to accomplish this. It’s not necessary to invest in expensive equipment or hire expensive talent for advanced services.
You can do some simple DIY tasks in Gold Coast or hire a professional driveway cleaning in Gold Coast company.
Check out these simple tips for keeping your driveway clean.
- Apply Sealant
Sealant is a great way to keep the driveway free of stains and grease.
Sealants will improve the appearance of your driveway. Sealants can protect driveways from staining, degradation and other types of damage. Sealants should be applied correctly, but too much can do more damage. Before applying sealant, ask your contractor’s advice. Also, check sealant manufacturer recommendations.
You can do this job yourself but it is best to have a professional complete the task and select the best sealant for the driveway.
Sealants applied by professionals can help your driveway retain its value over a long period of time. You’ll have to clean and seal your driveway depending on weather conditions and the amount of traffic. As a general rule, concrete surfaces should be resealed at least every two years.
- You can pressure wash your driveway
The dirt and debris you accumulate on your driveway or walkway can lead to problems in the future. The amount of dirt or debris can lead to the degradation of your drive materials.
Use a pressure cleaner to thoroughly clean your driveway. This will keep it clean and help prevent damage. Most experts recommend performing this task once or twice a year. Pressure washing is not only important to clean your driveway but also to prepare your pavements for sealing or painting. The solvents will penetrate better if the surface is clean.
It is important to learn how to safely use a pressure washer if you plan to do the job yourself. Power washers use high-pressure streams of water to clean large surfaces. These high-pressure water streams can be extremely dangerous. Spraying in the wrong place can cause injury to you or others. Prepare early for the day of pressure washing. In general, cleaning your driveway can improve its appearance.
- Remove Stubborn stains
Over the years, brake fluid, engine oil, dirt, soil and grease can stain driveways. To achieve optimal results, it is best to remove these stains as effectively as possible. Degreaser or powdered detergent can also be used to remove oil stains.
You can remove some oil spots or spills with a simple scrub brush and detergent. You can also use an alkaline detergent or concrete degreaser to loosen the oil and make it easier to remove. Baking soda or cat litter can be used to absorb the stain and then cleaned.
In humid or damp conditions, mold and mildew may grow on driveways that are heavily shaded. In such conditions, you can scrub the moldy surfaces using a solution of bleach and water. You can even add detergent. Vinegar is a better alternative to bleach if you do not want to use it.
- Avoid cracks on your driveway
Preventing cracks is another way to keep your driveway in good condition. If you ignore cracks, they will tend to spread and get worse. Next thing you know you’ll need to replace the entire surface of your driveway. Concrete and masonry are both susceptible to cracks. Your driveway will last much longer if the crack is repaired as soon as you can.
It’s possible, however, to avoid driveway cracks if you take certain precautions.
You can prevent your driveway from becoming flooded. Keep it dry all the time. You should also leave a berm of two to three inches around the driveway. This will allow water to drain off, which reduces the chances of it penetrating into your driveway. Make sure that the gutter downspouts drain into your yard and not your driveway.
Remove trees and shrubs from around driveways to prevent cracks. The roots of these plants can cause damage. Remove weeds from your driveway and sidewalk to prevent cracks.
Conclusion
It’s only natural that driveways will wear out over time. As with the rest of your home, it’s important to maintain their condition. You can save time and effort by hiring professional pressure washers. The advice above should help you to keep your driveway clean and new.