•• Adding too much water to mix, which weakens the concrete and promotes shrinkage cracks. 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. The difference is due to the additional settling of soils at older homes. But, there are conditions that can shorten its lifespan and result in unsightly cracking, discoloration, settlement or scaling. Concrete driveways are a complex project and hiring a professional for the installation is a … While concrete driveways can last decades, some things can cause damage that shortens their lifespan. 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. If you’re considering this option you’ll likely have aesthetics in mind. I asked the bidding contractors how long I might expect the concrete to last. Asphalt driveways are an even more affordable driveway option that is widely … Exposure to extreme weather can cause wear and fading; cracks can develop, or oil leaks from vehicles can lead to stains. 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. Concrete Driveways. The term durability means that something can last for a long period of time without significantly deteriorating. Depending on how big your driveway is, DIY bricklaying can save you a lot of money initially. Leave a Comment. Most landscaping elements have a life expectancy of 15 to 25. February 3, 2017. Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? •• Tree roots growing under slab, soil movement under slab. How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? Alternatively, consider two tracks made of concrete or pavers for your car’s tires to drive on and leave the middle section as grass. << What size in tons is my Fujitsu heat pump or air conditioner? 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. 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. It is not unusual for a concrete driveway to have a useful life of 25 to 30 years, if installed properly. To install a gridded and long-lasting green lawn driveway that takes well to being driven on, you’re looking at. Unlike asphalt, concrete will only need to sealed once every 3 – 5 years. All driveways age and deteriorate and become a use and safety hazard. Just like all the plants in your garden, green driveways will need regular care. With a durable material such as concrete, the environment is conserved as well as waste reduced. The range given was from twenty to thirty years. Making this a very. Typically, concrete lasts up to 30 years, while asphalt lasts up to 20 years. How Does Concrete Driveway Damage Occur? Polyvinyl fences are designed to last as long as the house, and asphalt driveways should last between 15 and 20. Take care with using your lawn mower over a gridded green driveway, a weed whacker may be a better choice. Tennis courts can last a lifetime if they are recoated; most coatings last 12 to 15. Tips to Clean and Seal Driveway. Concrete should then be sealed every 3 to 5 years thereafter to slow down the deterioration process. • What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? How Much Does It Cost To Install A Concrete Driveway? 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. By itself, concrete is a very durable construction material. Firstly, make sure that your driveway has good water drainage. The biggest maintenance task you’ll face will likely be pushing stones back onto your driveway. 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. Solid vs. How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? While a concrete driveway has more upfront costs than an asphalt one, it has a longer life span. 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. However, because of its exposure to the elements and heavy use, that isn’t the truth. That seems like a long time but I thought it could last much longer. Asphalt Driveway. Also, we suggest reading our article What causes cracks in a driveway? Brick pavers are made of fired clay which does weather with time. A standard concrete mix is 2,500-psi. Many homeowners then choose to spread the stones themselves for a further saving. Sealants can be added to concrete, asphalt and brick driveways. How soon can I use my driveway after paving? Concrete driveways are more expensive to install, but last 30 years. An asphalt driveway has a slightly shorter lifespan of about 20 years. • How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? See our blog post What is concrete shrinkage? 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. Because of the potentially intricate work involved, the average cost of a stamped concrete driveway runs around the $10 – $15 per square foot mark. Brick paved driveways can set you back upwards of $20 per square foot. Sprinklers and valves last about 20, while underground PVC piping has a lifespan of 25. •• Not adequately scoring the concrete, to contain any minor cracks within the score cuts. • Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? • How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? By dcc-admin. To help your pavers longevity, make sure that you regularly seal them with a sealant made specifically for this material. A word of caution here though, if you do not do a very. 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. 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. How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? •• Heavy truck tires driving over edge of the slab. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding concrete driveway installation. Aesthetically pleasing yes, cheap, no. What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? New concrete should NOT be sealed until they are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks old. This is mostly watering and trimming. Are they actually useful? Other maintenance includes removing weeds from between each paver. 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. © McGarry and Madsen, page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the. for rating of other house components. Because gravel is made up of many loose stones, it won’t last very long if not regularly topped up. However, installers say driveways may need to be replaced sooner or last longer depending on upkeep. Because concrete is permeable it will draw moisture from the ground that it rests on. Concrete Mix: Figure 2 - Poured concrete driveway. Then the lifted edges of the cracks become a trip hazard. Money Pit Team. Aggregate Driveway. 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? Lifespan With the right care and maintenance, both types of driveways will last decades. Since concrete is a rigid, non-flexible material, it can handle heavier loads. 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. Sealing a concrete driveway is a sensible way to protect and extend the lifespan of the material. 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. While a new driveway can be costly, knowing when to repair, resurface or just reseal can save much more time and cost. The Average Lifespan of Concrete. The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. Take care to not let thick sealant gather in the imprinted pattern, this can ruin the look of your driveway. Powered by BizBudding Inc. Hire a Reliable Concrete Contractor. Unlike other materials, gravel requires little more than extra stones as and when needed. The lifespan of stamped concrete is the same as with plain concrete, around 30 years if well maintained. Concrete ‘s normal life span is 30 to 40 years. •• Lack of, or inadequate, steel mesh and/or fiber reinforcing. 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