Maintaining your driveway is essential to keeping your home’s exterior clean and well-cared for. A dirty, poorly-maintained driveway can not only be an eyesore but can also shorten the driveway’s lifespan and lead to costly repairs. However, with a little bit of regular maintenance, you can keep your driveway looking its best. In this article, we’ll provide you with ten tips with help from Wash Your Walls for cleaning and maintaining your driveway so that you can keep it in top condition. From sweeping away debris to removing tough stains, these tips will help you keep your driveway looking clean and inviting.
Benefits of Cleaning and Maintaining Your Driveway
- Improved appearance: A clean, well-maintained driveway can significantly improve the overall appearance of your home’s exterior. It can also enhance your home’s curb appeal, making it more attractive to potential buyers if you are planning to sell.
- Increased lifespan: Regular cleaning and maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your driveway, saving you money on costly repairs or replacements. Removing debris, such as leaves and twigs, and addressing cracks and other damage as soon as they occur can help prevent further damage and extend the life of your driveway.
- Safer: Removing debris, such as leaves and twigs, from your driveway can make it safer to walk on, reducing the risk of slips and falls. In addition, addressing cracks and other damage can help prevent accidents, such as tripping or stumbling.
- Easier to clean: By removing stains and dirt from your driveway regularly, you can make it easier to clean in the future. This can save you time and effort in maintaining your driveway.
10 Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Driveway
- Sweep or blow away any debris accumulated on the driveway, such as leaves, twigs, and dirt. This will make it easier to clean and prevent the garbage from being ground into the driveway’s surface.
- Use a hose to dry the driveway and loosen any dirt or grime. Avoid using a pressure washer, as the high pressure can damage the driveway’s surface.
- Use a mild detergent or a commercial driveway cleaner to scrub the driveway’s surface. A stiff-bristled brush or broom works well for this task.
- Rinse the driveway thoroughly with water to remove all traces of the cleaner.
- If you have oil or grease stains on your driveway, you can use a commercial degreaser to remove them. Apply the degreaser according to the instructions on the label, and then scrub the stain with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the area thoroughly with water.
- If your driveway has weeds in the cracks, you can use a weed killer to kill the weeds and prevent them from returning. Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the weed killer carefully.
- Seal your driveway every few years to protect it from the elements and prevent it from cracking. This will also make it easier to clean in the future. We covered this and more in this article entitled “home care repairs to take care of in spring”.
- If your driveway has cracks, fill them with a driveway repair product or an asphalt patch. This will prevent the attempts from getting bigger and causing further damage to the driveway.
- Avoid using metal shovels or ploughs to remove snow from your driveway, as they can scratch and damage the surface. Instead, use a plastic shovel or a snow blower.
- If you have difficulty removing stains, use a paste of equal parts baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for a few hours, and then scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the area thoroughly with water.
What Products Can You Use to Clean Your Driveway?
There are several products you can use to clean your driveway, including:
- Mild detergent: A mild detergent, such as dish soap, can clean the surface of your driveway. Mix a small amount of detergent with water, and use a stiff-bristled brush or broom to scrub the surface.
- Commercial driveway cleaner: Several commercial driveway cleaners are specifically designed to remove dirt, grime, and stains from driveways. Follow the instructions on the label to use these products.
- Degreaser: If you have oil or grease stains on your driveway, you can use a commercial degreaser to remove them. These products are specifically designed to break down and remove tough stains.
- Baking soda and water paste: If you have difficulty removing stains, try using a paste of equal parts baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for a few hours, and then scrub it with a stiff-bristled brush. Rinse the area thoroughly with water.
How Do You Remove Weeds Growing in the Cracks of Your Driveway?
- Use a weed killer: Several weed killers are specifically designed to kill weeds growing in cracks. Follow the instructions on the label to apply the weed killer to the weeds.
- Pull the weeds by hand: If you prefer a more natural approach, try pulling the weeds by hand. Use a small tool, such as a trowel or a weeding fork, to loosen the soil around the weed and then gently pull it out of the ground. Be sure to get as much root as possible to prevent the weed from growing back.
- Use a weed torch: If you have a lot of weeds growing in the cracks of your driveway, you can use a weed torch to kill them. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using a weed torch, and use caution to avoid starting a fire.
How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway?
According to Right Wash it is generally recommended to seal your driveway every 2 to 4 years, depending on the type of sealer you are using and the condition of your driveway. Sealing your driveway can help protect it from the elements and prevent it from cracking, extending its lifespan. It can also improve the overall appearance of your driveway, giving it a fresh, clean look.
What Should You Do If Your Driveway Has Cracks?
If your driveway has cracks, it is essential to address them as soon as possible to prevent further damage. There are a few steps you can take to repair cracks in your driveway:
- Clean the cracks: Use a hose to wash away any dirt or debris from the cracks, and then allow the cracks to dry completely.
- Fill the cracks: Use a driveway repair product or asphalt patch to fill the cracks. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using these products, and fill the cracks until they are level with the driveway’s surface.
- Smooth the repair: Use a trowel or a small shovel to smooth the repair material, and then allow it to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keeping your driveway looking good and safe for everyone is essential to your overall property maintenance. The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you think. Just follow the above tips, and you should add years to your driveway regardless of its paved material.
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