Over time, your old driveway might begin to show signs of wear and tear, and you may start notice cracks, chips and discolouration – all of which can detract from the appearance of your property.
Here at Concept Concrete, we pride ourselves on designing and installing high quality concrete driveways in Melbourne that are built to last. Over the years, we’ve repaired, rebuilt and replaced hundreds of driveways that have fallen into a state of disrepair.
We’ve rounded up the five most common causes of driveway damage and what you can do to avoid them.
If you want to learn more about concrete driveways, check out our resources:
1. How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost
2. Asphalt vs Concrete Driveways: Why Concrete Is Often the Better Choice
3. How Long Does It Take for Driveway Sealant to Dry?
4. Concrete Driveway Installation
5. What Are The Most Common Types of Concrete Driveways?
6. Modern Concrete Driveway Ideas
Excessively Heavy Loads
A well-designed driveway is easily capable of supporting a lot of weight, but that doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. Heavy vehicles such as delivery trucks can put a lot of pressure on the surface of your driveway, which can potentially lead to the formation of cracks, breaks and even potholes.
You can reduce the risk of damage by being mindful of the types of vehicles you allow to access your driveway.
Weather Conditions
Given that your driveway is constantly exposed to the elements, it should come as little surprise to learn that the weather can have a profound impact on old driveways. For example, pools of water that are left to settle on the surface of the driveway can seep into cracks and cause damage to the underlying layers. Meanwhile, harmful UV rays can break down some of the components in old driveways and lead to hairline cracks.
Applying a quality sealer can stop contaminants from penetrating the concrete and help prolong the life of your driveway.
Shifting of Earth and Soil
The earth is constantly moving and shifting. On a day to day basis, these movements are unnoticeable, but over time they can cause the soil beneath your driveway to shift slightly, which can lead to unevenness and cracks in your driveway.
Poor Construction
Perhaps the most common cause of driveway damage is poor construction. If the initial installation was performed using suboptimal techniques or low quality materials were used during construction, there’s a good chance that the driveway will begin to prematurely show signs of damage.
At Concept Concrete, we combine high quality materials with the latest design and installation principles, so you can rest assured your driveway will continue looking great for years to come.
Tree Root Growth
A few nice, leafy trees are an important part of every beautiful garden, but it’s important to be mindful of how their location might affect your driveway. As a tree’s roots expand under your driveway, they can put a lot of pressure on the foundation of your driveway, which can eventually lead to the development of cracks and fissures.
If you recognise some of these signs of damage and are in the market for a new concrete driveway in Melbourne, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today on 1300 366 343 or fill out our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.
