If you have a concrete driveway, there are many things that can damage it. Unfortunately, a damaged driveway reduces your home’s value and curb appeal. If you already have a damaged driveway, Luxury Landscape Supply advises that it may be time to consider replacing it. Rather than installing another concrete driveway that is easily damaged, opt for a more durable stone or decorative gravel. Not only do these things stand up to the issues discussed below better, but they also beautify your outdoor space.
Too Much Weight
Some vehicles are just too heavy for your standard driveway materials. This includes recreational vehicles and construction vehicles. If you have your RV parked in your driveway, you may be causing damage to it without realizing it. It’s important to stay within the weight limitations of your driveway material to avoid cracking it and making it dangerous to walk and park on.
Corrosive Materials
We don’t need to worry about one of the most corrosive driveway materials here in Lawrenceville. The most corrosive material is the road salt that is used up north during the snow season. This doesn’t mean that your driveway doesn’t have corrosive materials on it, however. Automotive fluids, road grime, pesticides, and storm drain runoff can weaken the driveway’s concrete material.
Tree Roots
If you have large trees in your yard, their roots can damage your concrete driveway. As the roots stretch out underneath the driveway, they will lift the concrete upward and this will cause splits, cracks, and an uneven surface that is dangerous. Your best bet is to plant your large trees away from your driveway so that the roots do not encroach under the concrete surface.
Gardening Tools
Many of the gardening tools that you use on a regular basis can damage your driveway. This includes hoes and shovels, the lawnmower, and the weed whacker. It’s important that you are careful when you are around your driveway, even when you are edging it. If you hit the concrete with the lawnmower blades or another heavy-duty gardening tool, you run the risk of cracking it or taking a chunk out of it.
Storms
Finally, if your driveway does not have proper drainage and water pools on top of it during storms, you will definitely damage your concrete. It’s important to have the proper sealant on top of the concrete as well as the proper drainage so you don’t end up with pools of water. You’d be surprised how quickly too much moisture can damage your driveway.
Luxury Landscape Supply in Lawrenceville, GA, has the supplies you need if you are ready to replace your damaged driveway. Stop by our shop for inspiration.