Is Your Driveway Worn?

“If your driveway has worn down to the point where it has no real value as functional road, think about what it might be worth to you and how you want to live in your home,” says James D. McNulty, owner of James D. Concrete Contractors in Birmingham, Alabama. “Think about how much you are willing to pay for your driveway and do a cost-benefit analysis.”

“What determines whether or not a driveway’s life span is over?” McNulty asks. “A lot of factors go into that decision: the materials used in the construction of the driveway and its base; any upgrades made (such as a concrete stabilizer); and finally, when it was constructed.”

In addition to buying time while driving on your new concrete driveway, there are other advantages to this relatively inexpensive project: It’s quicker than replacing a rotting wooden one; it can be done by people who don’t have heavy equipment; if done right, you won’t even need a jackhammer or chisel; and you may get an aesthetic upgrade with added curb appeal. You’ll also save money since roads wear out sooner than walks or patios do because they are wider and harder-driven on heavier vehicles.

How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Blacktop Driveway?

Cracks, potholes and crumbling edges. These are prime indicators of a blacktop driveway in need of replacement. But how often does that really need to happen?

The answer is: every 10 years or so. And yet half of all homeowners wait until their driveway is beyond repair before replacing it, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Here are some guidelines on what you should do if you notice your driveway is starting to fail:

• Replace it with regularity. A new asphalt driveway should last 30 years—and even longer with proper maintenance, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). They recommend sealing your asphalt at least once a year, although some experts advise doing so every other year instead.

Why Should You Consider a Cement Driveway?

A concrete driveway is a great choice for many reasons.

• Concrete driveways are extremely durable and hard-wearing. They last longer than asphalt, and require less maintenance. Asphalt may be cheaper initially, but it will wear down more quickly than concrete and will need to be repaired or replaced more often.
• Adding a new concrete driveway improves the curb appeal of your home. This can increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future, since potential buyers always appreciate a beautiful house with nice landscaping!
• You’ll save money on upkeep costs when you choose concrete over asphalt or other materials. Concrete driveways are much easier to maintain than gravel or grass driveways—there’s no unsightly weed growth, so long as you treat your driveway every year with a sealant to protect it from deterioration due to car oil spills, weathering, and other factors.

What Are the Benefits of a Paved Driveway?

• Low Maintenance

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, concrete is the answer. Concrete will not need to be stained, painted or sealed like other driveway surfaces. You don’t even have to sweep it regularly as you would asphalt or gravel! It’s also resistant to salt, mold and mildew, making it an excellent choice for climates where winter precipitation can be an issue.

• Curb Appeal

A concrete driveway can easily integrate with existing sidewalks and patios on your property. It adds instant curb appeal to your home, particularly if you choose stamped concrete that resembles more expensive materials such as pavers or brick (but at a fraction of the cost). Bold colors are available in interlocking pavers and brick, but they’re not recommended with stamped concrete because they can age poorly over time. Instead, stick with standard colors such as grey, black or white—they go with anything!

What are Your Options for the Look of Your Driveway?

We can make your driveway look like natural brick, slate, stone, or pavers. Or you can use one of the many color and pattern options available to design a totally unique look for your home.

You may also want to consider adding decorative borders for a special touch. There are other options as well: how about adding stamped concrete on your patio, walkway or maybe even steps?

What Kind of Maintenance Does a Cement Driveway Need?

Frequent power washing to remove dirt, stains, and debris is the least you can do for your driveway. It also helps prevent mold, mildew and other unsightly problems from taking root in porous concrete. If your driveway has a sealer on it, schedule a professional cleaning every few years to give it the best chance at lasting damage-free for as long as possible.

Don’t let stains sit very long before you try to remove them (and don’t scrub too hard—you don’t want to damage the sealant). And if you see any cracks or chips in your concrete, fill them as soon as possible so they don’t accumulate moisture and lead to bigger problems down the road.

How Much Will It Cost to Replace My Concrete Driveway?

The cost of your project will depend on the type and size of your driveway, how it was constructed and the condition of the existing concrete. A professional contractor can help you determine what needs to be done so that you can get a more accurate estimate for removing and replacing your driveway.

Consider whether you want to replace all or just part of your driveway. A pro will need to know if they should work around existing structures or if water drainage is an issue. If there’s severe damage, a full replacement might be necessary, but patching or resurfacing may be enough for minor cracks or imperfections left over from previous repairs.

Renewing your driveway is a big improvement to your home.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic improvements that a new driveway can bring, you should also consider the value that it will add to your home. It is a substantial investment, but one that is worth thinking about if you are planning on selling your home in a few years or so. Even if you aren’t planning on moving soon, you should consider what kind of impression the condition of your driveway gives to visitors and neighbors.

Your new driveway will be much easier to clean than your old one since it will be smooth and flat. You won’t have to worry about cracks or weeds growing out between pieces of asphalt or concrete. You’ll also find that it’s easy for you to mow around this type of driveway because there won’t be any uneven spots for the mower wheels to get stuck on. This makes maintenance much simpler and quicker than before.

Lastly, a new driveway from our professional construction team will help keep your family safe while they walk up the drive after pulling into the garage at night. No more worrying about tripping over loose stones in driveways or potholes filled with water during rainy weather! Plus, having an attractive space outside where children can play without fear of injury creates peace of mind for parents who want their kids enjoying themselves while still being close enough to supervise them easilyIs Your Driveway Worn?

“If your driveway has worn down to the point where it has no real value as functional road, think about what it might be worth to you and how you want to live in your home,” says James D. McNulty, owner of James D. Concrete Contractors in Birmingham, Alabama. “Think about how much you are willing to pay for your driveway and do a cost-benefit analysis.”

“What determines whether or not a driveway’s life span is over?” McNulty asks. “A lot of factors go into that decision: the materials used in the construction of the driveway and its base; any upgrades made (such as a concrete stabilizer); and finally, when it was constructed.”

In addition to buying time while driving on your new concrete driveway, there are other advantages to this relatively inexpensive project: It’s quicker than replacing a rotting wooden one; it can be done by people who don’t have heavy equipment; if done right, you won’t even need a jackhammer or chisel; and you may get an aesthetic upgrade with added curb appeal. You’ll also save money since roads wear out sooner than walks or patios do because they are wider and harder-driven on heavier vehicles.

How Often Do You Need to Replace Your Blacktop Driveway?

Cracks, potholes and crumbling edges. These are prime indicators of a blacktop driveway in need of replacement. But how often does that really need to happen?

The answer is: every 10 years or so. And yet half of all homeowners wait until their driveway is beyond repair before replacing it, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

Here are some guidelines on what you should do if you notice your driveway is starting to fail:

Replace it with regularity. A new asphalt driveway should last 30 years—and even longer with proper maintenance, according to the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). They recommend sealing your asphalt at least once a year, although some experts advise doing so every other year instead.

Why Should You Consider a Cement Driveway?

A concrete driveway is a great choice for many reasons.

Concrete driveways are extremely durable and hard-wearing. They last longer than asphalt, and require less maintenance. Asphalt may be cheaper initially, but it will wear down more quickly than concrete and will need to be repaired or replaced more often.

Adding a new concrete driveway improves the curb appeal of your home. This can increase the value of your home if you decide to sell it in the future, since potential buyers always appreciate a beautiful house with nice landscaping!

You’ll save money on upkeep costs when you choose concrete over asphalt or other materials. Concrete driveways are much easier to maintain than gravel or grass driveways—there’s no unsightly weed growth, so long as you treat your driveway every year with a sealant to protect it from deterioration due to car oil spills, weathering, and other factors.

What Are the Benefits of a Paved Driveway?

Low Maintenance

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance option, concrete is the answer. Concrete will not need to be stained, painted or sealed like other driveway surfaces. You don’t even have to sweep it regularly as you would asphalt or gravel! It’s also resistant to salt, mold and mildew, making it an excellent choice for climates where winter precipitation can be an issue.

Curb Appeal

A concrete driveway can easily integrate with existing sidewalks and patios on your property. It adds instant curb appeal to your home, particularly if you choose stamped concrete that resembles more expensive materials such as pavers or brick (but at a fraction of the cost). Bold colors are available in interlocking pavers and brick, but they’re not recommended with stamped concrete because they can age poorly over time. Instead, stick with standard colors such as grey, black or white—they go with anything!

What are Your Options for the Look of Your Driveway?

We can make your driveway look like natural brick, slate, stone, or pavers. Or you can use one of the many color and pattern options available to design a totally unique look for your home.

You may also want to consider adding decorative borders for a special touch. There are other options as well: how about adding stamped concrete on your patio, walkway or maybe even steps?

What Kind of Maintenance Does a Cement Driveway Need?

Frequent power washing to remove dirt, stains, and debris is the least you can do for your driveway. It also helps prevent mold, mildew and other unsightly problems from taking root in porous concrete. If your driveway has a sealer on it, schedule a professional cleaning every few years to give it the best chance at lasting damage-free for as long as possible.

Don’t let stains sit very long before you try to remove them (and don’t scrub too hard—you don’t want to damage the sealant). And if you see any cracks or chips in your concrete, fill them as soon as possible so they don’t accumulate moisture and lead to bigger problems down the road.

How Much Will It Cost to Replace My Concrete Driveway?

The cost of your project will depend on the type and size of your driveway, how it was constructed and the condition of the existing concrete. A professional contractor can help you determine what needs to be done so that you can get a more accurate estimate for removing and replacing your driveway.

Consider whether you want to replace all or just part of your driveway. A pro will need to know if they should work around existing structures or if water drainage is an issue. If there’s severe damage, a full replacement might be necessary, but patching or resurfacing may be enough for minor cracks or imperfections left over from previous repairs.

Renewing your driveway is a big improvement to your home.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic improvements that a new driveway can bring, you should also consider the value that it will add to your home. It is a substantial investment, but one that is worth thinking about if you are planning on selling your home in a few years or so. Even if you aren’t planning on moving soon, you should consider what kind of impression the condition of your driveway gives to visitors and neighbors.

Your new driveway will be much easier to clean than your old one since it will be smooth and flat. You won’t have to worry about cracks or weeds growing out between pieces of asphalt or concrete. You’ll also find that it’s easy for you to mow around this type of driveway because there won’t be any uneven spots for the mower wheels to get stuck on. This makes maintenance much simpler and quicker than before.

Lastly, a new driveway from our professional construction team will help keep your family safe while they walk up the drive after pulling into the garage at night. No more worrying about tripping over loose stones in driveways or potholes filled with water during rainy weather! Plus, having an attractive space outside where children can play without fear of injury creates peace of mind for parents who want their kids enjoying themselves while still being close enough to supervise them easily