Asphalt Driveway. New concrete should NOT be sealed until they are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks old. Also, construction methods and materials vary in different parts of the country and it is possible that important issues related to your area may not be covered here. See our blog post What is concrete shrinkage? This requires a solid plan with frequent maintenance of every 2 to 3 years. You can expect a well-constructed concrete driveway to last for around 30 years. A quality siloxane concrete sealer can add years to the lifespan of a driveway at a low cost. All driveways age and deteriorate and become a use and safety hazard. Ideally, a concrete driveway will last the lifetime of your home. • Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? Concrete driveways are a complex project and hiring a professional for the installation is a … Tennis courts can last a lifetime if they are recoated; most coatings last 12 to 15. You can expect a well-constructed and quality asphalt driveway to last between 15 – 25 years, a bit short when comparing concrete vs. asphalt. Are they actually useful? Exposure to extreme weather can cause wear and fading; cracks can develop, or oil leaks from vehicles can lead to stains. Selecting an experienced and qualified contractor is the most important step in assuring a long service life for a concrete driveway. If you’re considering this option you’ll likely have aesthetics in mind. McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of, site-built, mobile/manfuactured and modular homes, 16822 SE 92nd Danna Avenue, The Villages, FL 32162, www.thevillagesbestinspector.com • Comments or questions to  mcgarryandmadsen@mac.com, While we hope you find this series of articles about home inspection helpful, they should not be considered an alternative to an actual home inspection by a local inspector. for more on this. For the ADA definition of a trip hazard, go to What floor level change is a trip hazard? As with plain concrete, a sealant should be applied every 3 – 5 years. • How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? Eventually, all concrete driveways crack and become unsightly. This is best done with a sprayer and an anti-weed solution. While concrete driveways can last decades, some things can cause damage that shortens their lifespan. •• Heavy truck tires driving over edge of the slab. Concrete ‘s normal life span is 30 to 40 years. To help your pavers longevity, make sure that you regularly seal them with a sealant made specifically for this material. Causes For Settling in Asphalt Driveway. The goal with any driveway should be to maximize the life expectancy as much as possible before having to completely remove and replace it. This is mostly watering and trimming. Concrete Driveways. See our blog post Why are there score line grooves in the concrete floor of the garage? Concrete driveways are permanent, low maintenance additions to your home that can improve its appearance, give kids a safe place to ride scooters, decrease erosion, and make keeping your car clean easier. While random cracks are generally not a structural problem and will not reduce the service life of the driveway, they can be an eyesore. With a durable material such as concrete, the environment is conserved as well as waste reduced. Leave a Comment. A good source of information on contractors is your local concrete producer. Firstly, make sure that your driveway has good water drainage. •• Lack of, or inadequate, steel mesh and/or fiber reinforcing. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. An asphalt driveway has a slightly shorter lifespan of about 20 years. With regular top-ups, gravel will last for a very long time. It also has the potential to “leak” into your lawn. Visit our SITE page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. Concrete driveways generally remain functional for 25 to 50 years, depending on how well built they were and how well they have been maintained. The biggest maintenance task you’ll face will likely be pushing stones back onto your driveway. Sealing the top of your asphalt means that oxidation can’t occur as easily. However, because of its exposure to the elements and heavy use, that isn’t the truth. If you do the job yourself, you can cut back on around half of this price. How soon can I use my driveway after paving? Both solid concrete (with a standard tooled finish) and aggregate driveways are durable, long-lasting options. Asphalt driveways are an even more affordable driveway option that is widely … Then the lifted edges of the cracks become a trip hazard. Concrete Mix: Figure 2 - Poured concrete driveway. Many homeowners then choose to spread the stones themselves for a further saving. Money Pit Team. Tips to Clean and Seal Driveway. It is not unusual for a concrete driveway to have a useful life of 25 to 30 years, if installed properly. • What is a chimney sinkhole? By itself, concrete is a very durable construction material. •• Adding too much water to mix, which weakens the concrete and promotes shrinkage cracks. Are they actually useful? February 3, 2017. Making this a very. Because of the potentially intricate work involved, the average cost of a stamped concrete driveway runs around the $10 – $15 per square foot mark. While a new driveway can be costly, knowing when to repair, resurface or just reseal can save much more time and cost. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance. But, there are conditions that can shorten its lifespan and result in unsightly cracking, discoloration, settlement or scaling. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? By dcc-admin. This will stop water from eroding the soil underneath. Take care to not let thick sealant gather in the imprinted pattern, this can ruin the look of your driveway. Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane? What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? You’ll know when it’s time to seal again because bare pavement will be seen in patches where there’s more traffic. • What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? •• Not adequately scoring the concrete, to contain any minor cracks within the score cuts. 3. We are in Florida and provide plenty of information about hurricanes and sinkholes, for example, but nothing on basements and ice dams. Driveway Lifespan You can expect a well-constructed and quality asphalt driveway to last between 15 – 25 years, a bit short when comparing concrete vs. asphalt. How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More! The range given was from twenty to thirty years. for rating of other house components. >>. NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Lifespan With the right care and maintenance, both types of driveways will last decades. • What causes sinkholes? The difference is due to the additional settling of soils at older homes. A word of caution here though, if you do not do a very. Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? This can be avoided though if you install a low barrier between your driveway and your yard. Typically, concrete lasts up to 30 years, while asphalt lasts up to 20 years. The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. Thankfully it doesn’t require much time or money to do so and is an easy way to keep the area around your home looking its best way. • How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •. • How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? The lifespan of stamped concrete is the same as with plain concrete, around 30 years if well maintained. What Is The Proper Way To Grade A Driveway Before Installing Concrete? Compare costs to those of a gravel driveway or an asphalt driveway. Occasional sealing of concrete is sufficient to keep it looking great. Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? No amount of maintenance will make up for hiring an unqualified concrete contractor to begin with. Depending on how big your driveway is, DIY bricklaying can save you a lot of money initially. Sealcoat and Fill Cracks. Concrete Driveway Lifespan When poured over a properly prepared subgrade in ideal conditions, outdoor concrete structures, including load-bearing driveways, should last up to 30 years or more. average lifespan of brick paver driveways is around 25 years, Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement. In fact, the biggest cost is the initial prepping that should be carried out to make sure that the gravel is level, and will drain well. What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? Concrete should then be sealed every 3 to 5 years thereafter to slow down the deterioration process. Cost Per Square Foot: $5 to $10; Useful Lifespan: 20 to 40 years; Maintenance: Low to moderate; DIY Potential: Low to moderate; At a glance, concrete and asphalt have similar properties, but concrete is comparatively durable. During that time it is still possible to pierce, chip or otherwise harm the newly paved driveway. • What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? When it comes to cost-effective driveways, you can’t beat gravel. If you live in a place with a moderate climate – never too hot and never too cool – your brick pavers may last a bit longer than this. The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. Arkansas’ hot, humid weather conditions allow moisture to expand within the concrete, which has the potential to cause cracks and divots to develop. Solid vs. On average, a 2-car driveway will set you back around $3,000.00. I asked the bidding contractors how long I might expect the concrete to last. "You can use your asphalt driveway the … Minor cracks can be filled and raised edges ground down, but each homeowner has a different point at which they decide it’s time for replacement. For a driveway, you will want a much stronger mix of 4,000-psi, with a 0.5 water to cement ratio, which provides a denser concrete and hence increases the wear ability. << What size in tons is my Fujitsu heat pump or air conditioner? How to Floor Your Attic Without Wrecking Your Roof, Curtain Rods: Hang Them Without Drilling Holes, 10 Easy Recipes for Natural Cleaning Products, Episode #2064: Two Ways to Get Warm Floors | DIY Pick-Me-Ups for Winter | Best Firewood | Projects for the New Year | Your Q & A, Episode #2063: How to Winterize Your Garage | How to Make Insurance Companies Pay for Winter Damage | Tips for Counter Cleaning | Your Q & A, Episode #2062: Smart Water Heaters | Stopping Ice Dams | Easy Winter Hacks for Snow and Ice | Your Q & A, Episode #2061: Best Filters for Clean Air | Smart Home Products That Protect | New Flood-Proof Water Heaters | Your Q&A, Episode #2060: Top 5 DIY Pandemic Projects | Sound-Proofing | Best Veggies that Grow Indoors | Your Q&A. Since concrete is a rigid, non-flexible material, it can handle heavier loads. Many homeowners believe a concrete driveway doesn’t need maintenance and will hold up for decades. Once the surface is prepped, a delivery of the gravel itself will cost around $800.00. A basic concrete driveway installed over a gravel base by a professional crew will cost $4 to $10 per square foot. Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? Take care with using your lawn mower over a gridded green driveway, a weed whacker may be a better choice. Increase your driveway lifespan by carrying out routine maintenance as needed. • What is my chance of buying a Florida home over a sinkhole? Stamped concrete is not cheap. A properly installed asphalt driveway will perform much like concrete (step up in durability and price) but at a much lower cost. Also, we suggest reading our article What causes cracks in a driveway? •• Tree roots growing under slab, soil movement under slab. Most landscaping elements have a life expectancy of 15 to 25. By inputting your specific measurements or even just drawing the driveway on the map, you can find an estimate of the cost of a concrete driveway. What is the average life expectancy of a concete walkway? How Much Does It Cost To Install A Concrete Driveway? Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? Like concrete, sealing pavers is straightforward and doesn’t need the help of a paving contractor. However, installers say driveways may need to be replaced sooner or last longer depending on upkeep. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding concrete driveway installation. Your email address will not be published. To install a gridded and long-lasting green lawn driveway that takes well to being driven on, you’re looking at. A concrete driveway typically lasts 50-60 percent longer than asphalt driveways, with less maintenance along the way. Polyvinyl fences are designed to last as long as the house, and asphalt driveways should last between 15 and 20. To help prevent random cracking, control joints should be placed at a maximum spacing of 10 feet for a 4-inch-thick driveway slab. To get the most out of your investment and ensure the longest lifespan possible for your driveway, make sure that you hire a professional to install your driveway. Cracks should be filled as and when they appear and sealants should be applied once every two years. Concrete also requires very little driveway maintenance. That seems like a long time but I thought it could last much longer. To proactively make sure your new concrete driveway looks good for longer, make sure that you stay off it for at least 7 days after it has been laid. Life span: Up to 100 years (depending on winter-weather conditions in your area) Pros: Gravel is a great option for the budget-conscious, especially people with longer driveways, Bean says. Whether you need to install a new driveway or replace an old one, asphalt is almost certainly one of the options you will consider. Brick paved driveways can set you back upwards of $20 per square foot. This can also be done by yourself if you have a pressure washing system. Subscribe: ... How To Repair a Gap Between Your Driveway and Garage. When comparing concrete vs. asphalt driveways,  costs are a bit higher than asphalt but still not as expensive as pavers. How Does Concrete Driveway Damage Occur? According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average life of a concrete road is about 40 years, but that can be much lower in a place where freezing and thawing wreak havoc on the structure. • Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? Sealants can be added to concrete, asphalt and brick driveways. If, for example, you live in an area where it snows, the cycle of freezing and then thawing will deteriorate asphalt quicker than in sunnier areas. Unlike other materials, gravel requires little more than extra stones as and when needed. Powered by BizBudding Inc. A concrete driveway can last for 25 or more years with proper care and installation. How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? You can expect a concrete driveway to last 25 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years, except that the freeze/thaw cycles and salt de-icers in colder climates are not kind to concrete and will shorten the life expectancy below that range. Sealing a concrete driveway is a sensible way to protect and extend the lifespan of the material. Should A Base Be Installed Prior To Installing A Concrete Driveway? The term durability means that something can last for a long period of time without significantly deteriorating. Your brick paver driveway should also be pressure cleaned once a year or so. How to Fill a Void Under a Concrete Driveway. A standard concrete mix is 2,500-psi. • Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? Concrete needs time to set and harden properly, any traffic on it in the first week will significantly damage its structural integrity. While a concrete driveway has more upfront costs than an asphalt one, it has a longer life span. Aggregate Driveway. Because concrete is permeable it will draw moisture from the ground that it rests on. Unlike asphalt, concrete will only need to sealed once every 3 – 5 years. Asphalt normally lasts around 20 years. Experiencing over 60+ years of building driveways in the Twin Cities has shown us that the lifespan of properly installed and maintained asphalt driveways average about 20 years for brand new driveways at new homes, and 28 years for replacement driveways. Also unlike asphalt, sealing concrete requires little more than a sealant and a roller brush. Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about a home’s SITE: • Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane? Asphalt Driveway Lifespan. Asphalt is typically half the price and lasts for about 20 years. Correctly placed joints. How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? Tread lightly and avoid any aggressive driving behavior during the first month of the driveway's life and the concrete will hold its shape for years to come. Once the driveway is constructed, your main tasks will be refilling cracks and sealing the asphalt. The large range is due to the many factors that can reduce lifespan, such as: •• Inadequate prep of ground below slab, such as adding a layer of base fill, if necessary, and compaction. There are a variety of maintenance steps that must occur throughout a driveway’s lifespan to ensure longevity. Ideally, concrete driveways should first be sealed a few months after they’re paved, and then resealed at least once every two years. © McGarry and Madsen, page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the. Alternatively, consider two tracks made of concrete or pavers for your car’s tires to drive on and leave the middle section as grass. Because gravel is made up of many loose stones, it won’t last very long if not regularly topped up. Concrete is a durable material that can last a lifetime. Aesthetically pleasing yes, cheap, no. The typical causes of concrete driveway distress include: An improperly compacted subgrade Concrete driveways are more expensive to install, but last 30 years. If there are cracks in the pavement, seal them as adamantly and frequently … Once the concrete is set, try to keep all very heavy vehicles off it if possible. Unlike concrete and asphalt, gravel will never crack or sink. Hire a Reliable Concrete Contractor. Other maintenance includes removing weeds from between each paver. DEAR TIM: I’m about to have a new concrete driveway installed as well as some sidewalks. Brick pavers are made of fired clay which does weather with time. Just like all the plants in your garden, green driveways will need regular care. Sprinklers and valves last about 20, while underground PVC piping has a lifespan of 25. Remember that concrete takes a full month (28 days) to completely dry and hold its strength. ow accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? 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