Essential Coloured Concrete Driveway Maintenance Tips
By Simply Driveways|November 12, 2022
Coloured concrete driveways help add an extra touch of uniqueness and vibrance to your home without it being over the top – just a splash of colour to your usual plain grey concrete driveway can give your house a significant facelift. That is why many homeowners have made the switch to coloured concrete driveways in Melbourne.
These types of concrete driveways are not only versatile and aesthetically pleasing, but they are also durable and hardwearing and require very minimal routine care. However, that does not mean you can neglect its upkeep altogether. With proper maintenance, your coloured concrete driveway will keep looking brand new even after years of use!
Here are a few essential maintenance tips to ensure your coloured concrete driveway remains in top condition.
Practice regular cleaning
Although coloured concrete driveways require little routine care, cleaning leaks and spills from vehicles as soon as they happen will prevent permanent discolouration and ensure the vibrancy and surface appearance of your driveway lasts longer.
Removing gasoline, grease, oil, and other spills immediately helps prevent brown or black stains from appearing. The leaks and spills from vehicles are oil-based and can be challenging to remove. Hence, utilising an absorbent as soon as a leak appears on a concrete surface is essential to preventing lasting discolouration.
You should also clean the surface of your driveway by sweeping it, using a leaf blower, or hosing it down with water. Consider using a high-pressure cleaner every few months to remove debris and prevent dirt buildup on the concrete surface.
Avoid the use of fertilisers
If you have noticed rust-coloured stains on your driveway, it is most probably from the fertilisers that you use. Fertilisers are a massive culprit in staining concrete – the iron leaks from fertiliser grains that stray onto concrete surfaces, causing unsightly stains on your driveway when they come into contact with water.
Also, the minerals from the fertilisers tend to be non-water soluble; hence, you cannot remove these rust-coloured stains with water. Many hardware stores sell solutions that claim to remove the blemishes, however, the chemicals in these emulsions might harm the concrete’s structure and cause spalling.
We recommend opting for plants around your driveway that do not require excessive amounts of fertiliser. If you decide to use fertiliser anyway, then make sure to prepare the mixture away from your coloured concrete surface and spray around the concrete edges with care.
Inspect for wear and tear
Regularly cleaning your driveway can help you identify any wear and tear in the coloured concrete driveway that you may miss otherwise. Ensure you closely inspect your driveway for any fissures in the concrete that could lead to further extensive damage in the long run if not rectified immediately.
Likewise, if you find any cracks during your inspection or otherwise, patch them up as soon as possible. In severe cases, you may need to call in professionals for help. Keep in mind that your coloured concrete driveway is supposed to be an eye-catching feature – so make sure to take good care of your investment!
Use mild cleaning products
Chemical-based products can be overly harsh on your coloured concrete driveway; avoid using them to prevent long-term damage to your driveway’s surface.
De-icing agents such as magnesium chloride can penetrate concrete surfaces, causing cracks to appear – and should therefore be avoided at all costs. If you live in an area prone to snow, sand is an alternative for increased traction on your driveway to prevent slippage.
Limit water exposure
Constant contact with water on the surface can destroy sealer, create stains, and ultimately ruin the colour of your concrete driveway. We recommend making a runoff for rainwater at the end of your driveway to reduce moisture penetration into the concrete’s surface.
Avert the formation of cracks
The roots of trees and shrubs can cause cracks and further permanent damage by pushing up your concrete driveway from below. You can sort this issue by removing trees near your driveway and cutting off their roots.
Seal the surface
Applying a few coats of sealant on your coloured concrete driveway is crucial in ensuring your cleaning process is easier as it blocks the penetration of dirt and oil into the concrete. Sealing also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your coloured concrete driveway. A tough solvent-based coloured sealer is just the trick for recolouring and rejuvenating discoloured and stained concrete.
More importantly, coloured concrete should be sealed regularly depending on the frequency of your sidewalk exposure to foot and car traffic, rainwater, and sprinklers. This is because damaged driveway sealant can create a breeding ground for mould and algae, which may destroy your driveway, leading to expensive repairs in the long run.
Consult expert concrete pavers
If you would like to find out more about coloured concrete driveways, you can always enquire with our helpful team at Simply Driveways. Our expert concrete pavers in Melbourne will be happy to answer any questions you may have!
With decades of experience under our belt, we are the definitive experts on all things to do with domestic and light commercial concreting. Get in touch with us to discover your options today!
These types of concrete driveways are not only versatile and aesthetically pleasing, but they are also durable and hardwearing and require very minimal routine care. However, that does not mean you can neglect its upkeep altogether. With proper maintenance, your coloured concrete driveway will keep looking brand new even after years of use!
Here are a few essential maintenance tips to ensure your coloured concrete driveway remains in top condition.
Practice regular cleaning
Although coloured concrete driveways require little routine care, cleaning leaks and spills from vehicles as soon as they happen will prevent permanent discolouration and ensure the vibrancy and surface appearance of your driveway lasts longer.
Removing gasoline, grease, oil, and other spills immediately helps prevent brown or black stains from appearing. The leaks and spills from vehicles are oil-based and can be challenging to remove. Hence, utilising an absorbent as soon as a leak appears on a concrete surface is essential to preventing lasting discolouration.
You should also clean the surface of your driveway by sweeping it, using a leaf blower, or hosing it down with water. Consider using a high-pressure cleaner every few months to remove debris and prevent dirt buildup on the concrete surface.
Avoid the use of fertilisers
If you have noticed rust-coloured stains on your driveway, it is most probably from the fertilisers that you use. Fertilisers are a massive culprit in staining concrete – the iron leaks from fertiliser grains that stray onto concrete surfaces, causing unsightly stains on your driveway when they come into contact with water.
Also, the minerals from the fertilisers tend to be non-water soluble; hence, you cannot remove these rust-coloured stains with water. Many hardware stores sell solutions that claim to remove the blemishes, however, the chemicals in these emulsions might harm the concrete’s structure and cause spalling.
We recommend opting for plants around your driveway that do not require excessive amounts of fertiliser. If you decide to use fertiliser anyway, then make sure to prepare the mixture away from your coloured concrete surface and spray around the concrete edges with care.
Inspect for wear and tear
Regularly cleaning your driveway can help you identify any wear and tear in the coloured concrete driveway that you may miss otherwise. Ensure you closely inspect your driveway for any fissures in the concrete that could lead to further extensive damage in the long run if not rectified immediately.
Likewise, if you find any cracks during your inspection or otherwise, patch them up as soon as possible. In severe cases, you may need to call in professionals for help. Keep in mind that your coloured concrete driveway is supposed to be an eye-catching feature – so make sure to take good care of your investment!
Use mild cleaning products
Chemical-based products can be overly harsh on your coloured concrete driveway; avoid using them to prevent long-term damage to your driveway’s surface.
De-icing agents such as magnesium chloride can penetrate concrete surfaces, causing cracks to appear – and should therefore be avoided at all costs. If you live in an area prone to snow, sand is an alternative for increased traction on your driveway to prevent slippage.
Limit water exposure
Constant contact with water on the surface can destroy sealer, create stains, and ultimately ruin the colour of your concrete driveway. We recommend making a runoff for rainwater at the end of your driveway to reduce moisture penetration into the concrete’s surface.
Avert the formation of cracks
The roots of trees and shrubs can cause cracks and further permanent damage by pushing up your concrete driveway from below. You can sort this issue by removing trees near your driveway and cutting off their roots.
Seal the surface
Applying a few coats of sealant on your coloured concrete driveway is crucial in ensuring your cleaning process is easier as it blocks the penetration of dirt and oil into the concrete. Sealing also enhances the aesthetic appeal of your coloured concrete driveway. A tough solvent-based coloured sealer is just the trick for recolouring and rejuvenating discoloured and stained concrete.
More importantly, coloured concrete should be sealed regularly depending on the frequency of your sidewalk exposure to foot and car traffic, rainwater, and sprinklers. This is because damaged driveway sealant can create a breeding ground for mould and algae, which may destroy your driveway, leading to expensive repairs in the long run.
Consult expert concrete pavers
If you would like to find out more about coloured concrete driveways, you can always enquire with our helpful team at Simply Driveways. Our expert concrete pavers in Melbourne will be happy to answer any questions you may have!
With decades of experience under our belt, we are the definitive experts on all things to do with domestic and light commercial concreting. Get in touch with us to discover your options today!
