After conquering the challenge of buying a home, homeowners are tasked with a new trial: properly maintaining the property. Often, this leads them into untested territory. One example of maintenance that some find daunting is all the upkeep needed for a driveway. To help get the most out of your driveway’s lifespan, let’s go over a few maintenance, upkeep and repair basics.
First, there are many types of materials used for driveways. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to maintenance, appearance, environmental impact, etc. To keep things easy, we’ll go over the top two popular choices: asphalt and concrete. Asphalt, also known as blacktop, is an inexpensive option that’s also quick to install. Although the lifespan for this material is shorter than others, it can last more than 20 to 25 years when cared for properly. A drawback is that, as a petroleum product, asphalt is one of the least environmentally friendly options for a driveway. (more…)