How to Maintain Your Concrete or Exposed Aggregate Driveway

Driveways are an important aspect to our home and quite often, we forget about its upkeep until it has been overrun by weeds, riddled with oil stains, and cracks have started to appear. 

Not only do our driveways provide a clear pathway to our home it can also act as a standout feature which can increase overall curb appeal and add value to our property.

Thankfully, one of the best attributes of a decorative concrete driveway is how little maintenance is required to keep it look fantastic all year round, and if laid correctly, can last up to 50 years.

Here are some quick and simple tips for preserving the life and appearance of your driveway.

1- Don’t allow stains to settle

I am sure we’ve all used or seen cardboard placed underneath cars that are parked inside the garage, why? To catch any oil leaks before it hits the concrete.

Although your driveway may have a sealer to help protect the concrete from stain absorption, you should still work to get rid of oil, gas, and grease stains immediately. The longer you ignore the stain or spill, the further it will seep into the concrete and the harder it will be to remove. 

The best way to remove a stain on exposed aggregate is to mix some warm water with some household detergents and give it a good scrub using a thick-bristled broom. For more stubborn stains, try using a microbial cleaner or degreaser.

You should be giving your driveway a good pressure clean every 6 months or as often as you feel it is needed.

2- Keep it sealed

One of the most important things you can do to keep your driveway looking its best for longer is to keep it sealed.

Keeping your driveway sealed helps protect your investment and maintain its original look.

Over time, your driveway is subjected to extreme weathers and heavy vehicle traffic, so we recommend resealing decorative concrete driveways every 2 to 3 years, or when you start to notice signs of wear.

You can purchase good commercial sealers from any concrete material suppliers, hardware stores, or Bunnings. If you’re unsure, you can always contact Seamless Concrete Perth for some expert advice.

3- Keep it tidy

Even though exposed aggregate driveways require very little maintenance, it does not mean you should let it fall into complete chaos.

Using a thick-bristle brush, be sure to give it a good sweep from time to time, removing any foliage and garden debris.

This will ensure there is no buildup of mould, dirt, grime and dust caused by passing traffic and surrounding plant life.

It’s also important to stay on top of those pesky weeds, if ignored, they will run rampant and spread like wildfire. 

Simple ways to get rid of weeds.

4- Not all cracks are fixable

With all that’s been said and done, if you’ve tried all of the above but it’s starting to look like your driveway is beyond repair then it’s time to call in the experts.

Seamless Concrete Perth is committed to providing top quality decorative concrete solutions. We have over two decades of experience specialising in domestic landscaping and offer a wide range of decorative concrete including exposed/honed aggregate, liquid limestone, and coloured concrete.

We also offer complimenting landscaping services such as edging, earth-works, pool surrounds and bullnosing, and alfrescos. 

We can remove your current cracked concrete blocks, prepare the site and pour exposed aggregate or concrete so you have a brand new driveway in no time. If you are considering liquid limestone, we have article on how to maintain it so you can make an informed decision.

If you’re planning a much-needed facelift for your home, contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff for more information on how you can transform your Perth home.

Have a look at our gallery to see some of our recent projects or at our article on the latest front yard trends to get you thinking.