Driveway Maintenance

asphalt driveway

ASPHALT

Blacktop driveways won’t stay smooth and black forever. The harsh New England weather works to break down the surface over time. Without proper maintenance, cracks and potholes will inevitably appear. Grass can also take over the edges and spread through cracks in the driveway.

Excessive heat, freezing temperatures, UV rays, and substances like salt, oil, gas, and grease all contribute to the wear and tear on your driveway. Without protection, that once-beautiful black surface can turn into a lumpy, crumbling mess. By sealing your driveway every two to three years, you can prevent these issues. You can either tackle the job yourself or hire professionals who specialize in driveway maintenance.

CONCRETE

Repairing cracks and holes in concrete is essential for preventing water damage and improving safety. These cracks can allow water to seep into vulnerable areas, and since concrete is porous, it absorbs water like a sponge. When temperatures drop and the concrete is wet, the water can freeze, causing cracking, spalling, or chipping. To minimize this damage, regularly seal the concrete with an acrylic or silicone-based sealer specifically designed for concrete and masonry.

A liquid concrete sealer fills the pores of the concrete, preventing water absorption. Typically clear, concrete sealers last anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the quality of the product, surface preparation, and climate.

Inexpensive "water seals" often don't provide the same level of protection as higher-quality products. Additionally, lower-quality sealers need to be reapplied more frequently, which can end up costing more over time. Concrete sealers can be applied with a brush, roller, or pump garden sprayer. Before applying the sealer, be sure to clean the concrete thoroughly. Rock salt used to melt snow is a common cause of concrete deterioration, and sealing can help protect against salt damage. After the snow melts, rinse the area with hot water to remove as much salt as possible before sealing.

A driveway that isn’t properly maintained will quickly develop excessive cracks and deteriorate.

damaged driveway

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Buying a home is arguably the most important, exciting and nerve-wracking purchase a person will ever make. This is the reason you need a great home inspector, and Dave Valley is just that. He is empathetic – he understands and appreciates the various emotions a potential home-buyer goes through. Most importantly, Dave provides you with objective information so you can make the most informed decision possible.

It was a pleasure working with Dave – he contains all the qualities that make a great home inspector – he is the consummate professional, prompt, courteous, meticulous in his detail and honest. Dave was reasonably priced – in fact Dave charged me the same amount I spent 10 years earlier on a smaller house and provided a far better work product.

Prompt

I arrived at the house at the agreed upon time on a cold and nasty day, and found Dave outside inspecting the exterior of the home. He was already a half hour into his inspection – I think this exemplifies and is symbolic of the fact that Dave is respectful of his client’s time.

Courteous

Dave was pleasant to deal with, personable and thoughtful not only to his client but also to the buyer’s real estate agent.

Detail-oriented

Dave spent almost four hours in his investigation of a 2,000 square foot house. He answered all my questions and reviewed every observation he had with me. David provided a detailed report, and encouraged me to call and email him to discuss the report and to ask questions.

Conclusion

The highest compliment I can give Dave is to say that I would use him again and will encourage and recommend him to others.

Michael S. Giaimo