Driveway Repair Tips and Advice

There’s nothing worse than the moment you spot a blemish on your immaculate driveway, and from the instant you see a little crack, scuff or chip you’ll want to do something about it. Major driveway repair problems should be dealt with by a qualified driveway specialist like us at Premier Surfacing, but there are many minor problems which can be fixed yourself at little cost. Here are a few hints and tips when it comes to keeping your driveway in tip top condition.

Spot and Fill Cracks

Filling cracks as soon as you see them is essential to prevent further damage to your driveway. Inspecting your surface once or twice a year should be enough, and the job of filling them is relatively simple. Clear the area of debris with a stiff broom or power hose to remove loose materials and then measure your blemish. Cracks under half an inch wide should be filled with crack-filler using a caulking gun, whereas those over half an inch require cold patch asphalt.

Recolor Concrete Driveways

Even if your driveway hasn’t succumbed to cracks and holes, it may still start to degrade in terms of its aesthetic appearance. Recoloring your driveway makes it seem like you’ve had a brand new surface installed, and modern UV protection materials mean this paint-job should last longer than ever.

Keep Stains at Bay

Even if there aren’t substantial cracks or holes spoiling your driveway, you may still be irked at the sight of oil spills or other chemical agents which have tarnished your surface. The key to preventing stain build-up is to act quickly, so keep a set of products on hand to remove oil or chemical stains depending on which are most likely to occur. Unfortunately there are no products available which can repel oil stains, so it may be that your best bet is to get your car serviced!

Reseal Your Driveway

Keeping your driveway sealed is a good way to avoid many of the problems on this list, and if you have filled in several cracks and holes you should definitely consider a full reseal to cover those areas. After letting a filled and pressure-washed driveway dry for 48 hours you can mix and apply your sealant, taking care to cover evenly and neatly. Allow it to cure for two days before walking on the surface. A full reseal should be considered every three to five years, depending on the surface.

Remove Foliage

If you have organic material sitting on the edges of your driveway then it is important to keep this in check, as plant material will often exploit any small cracks and cause major damage to your driveway’s integrity. Use a combination of herbicides, solid edging, and asphalt patches to keep grass and other organic material away from your driveway’s edges. This should be re-inspected approximately every two years. You can even have a read of our handy tips for getting rid of weeds.

Concrete Etching

A great way to hide cracks in concrete driveways is to apply a layer of engraving to the surface. Using colours and patterns you can effectively hide any cracks in your surface, and even give the appearance of an entirely refitted driveway. This is a popular choice if you only have a cosmetic need for driveway repair, and it actually helps to keep future maintenance costs to a minimum too!