Tips on How to Keep Your Concrete or Blacktop Driveway from Cracking
1. Remove Vegetation That’s Close to Your Driveway
Have you ever seen trees and bushes planted right next to a concrete or blacktop driveway? If it hasn’t happened already, you can bet the roots of that vegetation are going to end up spreading out until they end up underneath the drive. The results will be that the concrete or blacktop will crack, then crumble and break off in pieces.
If this describes your driveway- if there are trees and bushes planted right next to it- then you need to remove them ASAP to keep your concrete or blacktop from cracking. If the vegetation is too large, you’ll probably have to just remove it. Smaller vegetation can be carefully dug up and transplanted to more appropriate locations.
2. Keep Your Water Drainage Systems Maintained
If they are properly maintained, the rain water and melted snow that comes down your gutters and downspouts will flow out to the septic system. However, just one leak can allow this waste water to flow out in your yard or onto your driveway. Or, if your gutters and downspouts become clogged with debris or ice, the waste water can flood out over your gutters. If this water flows underneath your concrete or blacktop driveway, freezing temperatures can cause the material to actually “float” and rise up. This action can cause that area of your driveway to crack.
To avoid this, periodically inspect your gutters and downspouts for leaks, cracks and disconnections. Repair any problems you find right away.
3. Keep Your Concrete or Blacktop Driveway Edged
Keeping your driveway “edged” means you remove any sod or weeds that are within two or three inches of any of its borders. By doing this, rain water and melted snow can drain off the surface and flow away from your driveway. This practice will also help keep the roots of vegetation from growing up and cracking your driveway.
4. Seal and Waterproof Your Driveway on a Regular Basis
Visit your local hardware or home supply store and choose a good-quality product to seal and waterproof your concrete or blacktop driveway with. Depending on the product you use and the weather conditions of the area you live in, you’ll probably have to do this every two years to help keep your driveway from cracking. A quality product will help protect your driveway from heat and freezing temperatures, corrosive chemicals and other harmful substances.
5. Keep Your Driveway Cleaned Off
By sweeping off tree branches, leaves, grass clippings and other loose debris off your driveway periodically, you’ll help keep the concrete or blacktop from cracking. The easiest way to do this is to use a leaf blower instead of a conventional broom.
To remove dirt, gasoline, oil, chemicals and other harmful pollutants from your driveway, use a low-pressure washer.
