Your driveway is one of the first things guests and passersby see when entering your property, so its appearance plays a significant role in its resale value and curb appeal. Maintaining its appearance helps maintain its beauty over time.

Maintaining your driveway’s condition can extend its life and increase its value. By taking time to keep it looking its best, you’ll ensure that your driveway stays looking its best for years to come.

Sweeping

Regular driveway cleaning is the most essential step you can take to keep your property looking its best. Not only will it make it more appealing to potential buyers, but it could also increase its value.

Sweeping your driveway on a regular basis and cleaning it thoroughly can prevent dirt and debris from building up, as well as help maintain the integrity of your concrete.

Sweeping can be done either by yourself or by hiring a professional. When hiring an expert, they will use equipment specifically designed to clean driveways and other hard surfaces; additionally, they’ll apply protection treatments to the surface to avoid further damage in the future.

If there are oil or grease stains on your driveway, it’s essential to get them cleaned promptly. Not only will these ruin the appearance of your driveway but they may make driving on it difficult as well.

This type of stain can be removed using either powder dishwashing detergent or a hot water and washing soda solution. Apply the solution directly onto the stain, and scrub it clean with either a broom or brush. After cleaning, rinse your driveway with water from a hose for added effectiveness.

Another way to remove a grease or oil stain is by covering the stained area with kitty litter or sawdust. This will soak up any oil, and then you can sweep away with a broom.

Alternately, you can use bleach on the stained area to remove it. However, it’s best to mix the bleach with an absorbent material first as this will help absorb oil out of the driveway and make cleaning up much simpler.

The longer a stain like a mud or mechanic’s oil spill remains on your driveway, the harder it will be to remove. This is because oil causes concrete or asphalt to deteriorate due to exposure.

Mold and mildew stains on both asphalt and concrete surfaces can be removed with 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner (available at Amazon), by spraying the stain with the cleaner, waiting a few minutes, then hosing off with water.

Pressure Washing

Regular driveway cleaning is essential for both a safe and attractive aesthetic, as well as to protect concrete surfaces from damage. Pressure washing is an environmentally friendly way to keep a concrete surface looking its best.

The initial step in pressure washing a driveway is to apply a degreaser, which will loosen any dirt or grime on the concrete. Depending on which detergent you select, this could take as little as 10 minutes for action. You may use a stiff brush to work it into the surface with, but if not, simply sprinkle cleaner over top and rub in using your hands.

Next, start at the highest point of your driveway. Water flows from there to the lowest, so it makes sense to wash that area first. Doing so ensures that no dirty water runs back over areas you have just cleaned.

Once you’ve cleaned the entire surface, it’s time to rinse away any soap residue. A garden hose or power washer work great here as their power can effectively remove soap residue without scratching.

When using a pressure washer, it is essential to wear protective clothing and safety glasses. The loud noise of the nozzle and slippery, soapy water may be hazardous for your eyes and skin.

Power washers should only be used after reading their user manuals. Failure to do so could prove hazardous, so it’s best to use a smaller nozzle and wash in small sections at a time in order to minimize injury.

Some stains, like oil and rust, can be difficult to remove with pressure washing. If these spots are stubborn, try spot-treating them with a diluted concrete detergent solution. It may take several treatments before all traces of the stain have been eliminated; however, eventually the spots will come out.

You can also use common household ingredients to remove stains, such as baking soda and bleach. Paired with a power washer, these items will ensure your driveway stays spotless for years to come.

Sealing

Asphalt or concrete driveways can benefit from sealing, as it helps extend their lifespan and delays replacement costs. Not only that, but sealing also makes cleaning and upkeep much simpler, while improving curb appeal as well.

Before sealing your driveway, it is essential to thoroughly clean it. A dirty surface makes the sealant more likely to adhere properly; you may need to use a degreaser, primer or other type of cleaner if there are oil stains or other contaminates present.

Once your driveway has been cleaned, you must remove any weeds or other debris from cracks. You can rent a pressure washer for this task or use a broom to sweep away loose items with ease.

If your driveway has a lot of moss growing on it, bleach can be used to kill the moss and lift it off the surface. Be sure to use a weaker bleach solution in order to avoid harming the concrete surface.

You may try spraying a commercial rust remover on rust stains, but be sure to test the product on an area of your driveway first. Rust stains can be difficult to get rid of and multiple applications of rust remover may weaken the cement bond within your driveway’s surface.

For proper sealant on your asphalt driveway, you will need a quality asphalt sealant. A quality sealer can extend the life of your pavement by preventing oxidization – this causes asphalt to lose flexibility and become more vulnerable to cracking over time.

Resealing your driveway will not only protect it from weather conditions and heavy foot traffic, but it will also shield it from corrosive chemicals that can eat away at its surface and leave it more vulnerable to damage. Depending on where it’s situated and how often people drive on it, resealing should occur every three to five years depending on its weather conditions and traffic volume.

If your driveway is asphalt, use a water-based acrylic sealer to protect it. These can be found at local hardware stores and concrete supply outlets.

You will need a sealant applicator, such as a brush, and two buckets. Pour the sealant along your driveway in an even line (not up and down). Be careful not to back yourself into corners or overstep steps since these can cause failure of the sealer. Make sure you wear gloves so you don’t get dirty during application; allow about 12 hours between coats and block off traffic for 24 to 36 hours after each coat for proper setting time.

Repairing

Regularly cleaning your driveway can extend its life and save you money in the long run by avoiding expensive repairs or replacements.

Regular cleaning can make your driveway more desirable to potential home buyers. A tidy, well-kept driveway is the first thing a buyer will see when they arrive at your residence, so it makes a big impression.

Once your driveway is clean, it’s easier to detect any surface flaws like cracks or holes. Doing this early on will prevent these issues from becoming larger issues in the future and could spell doom for your vehicle if not addressed promptly.

One of the most essential ways to safeguard your driveway is keeping it free from weeds and other plants. Weeds can smother the surface, giving off an unattractive impression.

Additionally, it’s important to clear away any leaves and organic debris from your driveway. Leaves can smear the concrete and leave stains behind; using an organic driveway cleaner is a great way to tackle this problem.

Once you observe oil stains on your driveway, it’s best to attempt to wash them away with an approved oil-removal product that won’t harm the concrete surface. Oil stains are a common issue when dealing with stone driveways so be sure to use one that is safe for concrete.

Another method for eliminating oil stains is to sprinkle baking soda onto the stain and let sit for 15 minutes; then scrub with a brush. Although this method may take some effort, it helps you get rid of stubborn oil spots quickly and efficiently.

Aside from eliminating oil stains, you should regularly clean your driveway to prevent cracks or damage. Doing this will help the surface of your driveway last longer and shield it against weathering caused by harsh climate conditions or foot traffic.

If you notice any rust stains on your driveway, applying commercial rust remover is recommended. Unfortunately, this method could damage the cement bond within the concrete and leave your surface looking faded and cracked.