Time to Repair or Replace Your Driveway?
Here is yet another interesting article that doesn’t (yet) apply to me, but is still well worth the read:
Driven to Distraction – Time to Repair or Replace Your Driveway?
The driveway becomes an important and highly used part of a home, yet few people spend the time to understand the variety of driveway material choices. You need to determine whether your driveway is ideally suited to your neighbourhood, your street, your home, and your usage. Of course, there is always the visual aspect of “curb appeal”, but there is also the question of withstanding heavy weights, or maybe just the odd one-on-one basketball game. All of the choices have different properties and characteristics. If you’re thinking about replacing or repairing your driveway this summer, here is a brief overview of some common driveway choices:
Gravel
This is a relatively inexpensive surface material, and it can be quite
attractive. But gravel can scatter easily, “littering” gardens or
lawns, or chipping paint on a new car. It can also become packed down
into loose earth over time, and will need to be maintained with
periodic filling and leveling.
Asphalt
Although neat and uniform looking, an asphalt driveway usually requires
some form of annual maintenance, such as patching or resurfacing
(depending on weight loads and exposure to sunshine and precipitation).
However, asphalt isn’t difficult to resurface, and a handy person can
get it done over a sunny weekend.
Concrete
For adequate thickness and proper curing, a carefully mixed application
of concrete on a prepared bed is essential. Flexible control joints
will need to be included in order to allow for expansion and
contraction. This “scoring” also helps to confine damage to localized
areas, thereby accommodating sectional repairs.
Brick and Stone
If appropriately dense, brick or stone requires little maintenance, and
has more natural appeal than concrete. Individual pieces can be
replaced, one by one, but care must be taken not to disturb the
neighbouring pieces, or to compromise the underlying bedding.
Interlocking Pavement
Usually made of a concrete composition, and tumbled for a “weathered”
look, “pavers” may offer the best driveway surface option. They are
reliably strong and consistent, and are available in a variety of
attractive shapes, colors and pattern settings to complement your home.
Watch Out for Damage
Even nature’s toughest surfaces can suffer over time, especially if not
protected from the ravages of severe weather and excessive wear and
tear. Although a new driveway installation usually requires a
professional crew with proper equipment, some basic maintenance and
repair procedures can be handled by the average do-it-yourselfer.
Summer is the ideal time to improve a driveway that’s breaking or
crumbling, or has an uneven or discolored surface, because several days
of clear weather are needed.
Underneath It All
Before commencing to repair a driveway, you should determine the
underlying cause of any damage, so it can be prevented in the future.
Take care to observe how your driveway drains (or should drain) so that
repairs will encourage proper run-off. Also note the condition of the
bedding beneath your surface material, as it is a creitical contributor
to the driveway’s longevity. This material supports vehicular weight,
and facilitates the controlled shedding of surface water, and/or
draining of water absorbed between individual stones or bricks. Typical
base substrates may include sand, crushed limestone, aggregate gravel,
as well as fabric material to suppress vegetation growth. To prevent
future erosion, they may need to be reconstituted and refortified
before the driveway surface is repaired.
General Repair Preparations
To prepare a driveway for repairs, remove all vegetation and soil
imbedded in or bordering on the surface, and scrape away any encrusted
or built-up residue. Remove any bumps or ridges, and any crumbled or
loose pieces. Clean the surface, then rinse with a hose and allow to
dry. If the edging is irregular, you may need to stake a frame board to
contain the filler compound. Get advise from your do-it-yourself center
about using the proper mixture and tools. Follow manufacturers’
instructions carefully – and wear heavy work gloves and safety goggles
as advised.
Over The Long Haul – A Driveway of Distinction
Obviously, a driveway kept in good condition will perform better and
last longer. It can also help you maintain your yard and garden areas,
and protect any nearby building foundations by managing erosive
run-off. Remember, an attractive driveway will always be an enhancement
to your home, because it adds “curb appeal” and makes a welcoming
statement for family, guests and visitors.
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Looking to buy a home with a driveway? Call me and let’s see what’s out there!