Driveway How-To Guide

Driveway

Overview
Maintenance
Questions/Answers
Articles

To maintain the appearance and useful life of your driveway, it is important that your home maintenance program include the proper maintenance for your driveway.

Driveways can be constructed of asphalt, concrete, brick, or gravel. The heavy load of an automobile rolling over a driveway can quickly turn small cracks into large cracks which are more expensive to repair. In cold climates, reflecting marker sticks can be placed along the edge of the driveway to designate its location through the snow.

Shown in the "Maintenance" tab above are the recommended routine maintenance tasks for your driveway. The "Questions / Answers" tab above shows our answers to related questions. And the "Articles" tab above provides links to related informational articles and sources.

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		Maintenance Task #1: Arrange for snow plow service (cold climates)

		How do you arrange for snow plow service?
		Call snow plow service (if applicable) to confirm service for the upcoming winter. In addition, you should also check your supply of rock salt for walkways, and that you have a snow shovel available.

		Why is it important to arrange for snow plow service?
		Arranging for snow plowing, and having rock salt and a snow shovel available, helps to enable safe access to your home during the Winter.

		When should you arrange for snow plow service?
		Call in September to confirm availability for the coming winter.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is very low. It is estimated that this task should only take about 30 minutes to complete, and the task is relatively easy to do. No specialized tools are required, but you will need to purchase rock salt and have a snow shovel available.

		The benefits of this task are relatively high, to allow safe access to your home during the winter.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #2: Set up (and remove) driveway reflectors (cold climates)

		How do you set up (and remove) driveway reflectors?
		Place driveway reflector sticks to mark where the driveway meets the lawn. You may want to purchase a long "spike" nail at a hardware store, and use a hammer and this spike to create a starter hole where you will place the stick end of your driveway reflector. If you are using plastic reflectors, you will want to be careful not to hammer on the tops of the them, as this will likely break them. Using a starter hole eliminates the need to hammer on the top.

		Why is it important to set up (and remove) driveway reflectors?
		Helps mark the driveway to minimize driving over and damaging the lawn during the winter, and provides guides to your snow plowing company. Some snow plowing service companies will install reflectors for you, others will require that you install them yourself.

		How often should you set up (and remove) driveway reflectors?
		Place reflectors in November, before the snow, and remove in April, after the snow.

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is very low, depending on the size of your driveway. It is estimated that this task should take about 30-60 minutes to complete. You will need reflector stakes, a "spike" nail, and a hammer to complete this task.

		The benefits of this task are moderately high. It helps to prevent damage to your lawn.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):


		Maintenance Task #3: Apply driveway sealant

		How do you apply driveway sealant?
		Clean, and repair the driveway using asphalt patching material. Add gravel if necessary. Apply blacktop sealant using a disposable bucket and a wide squeegy or broom. You may want to hire a professional service to do this task for you.

		Why is it important to apply driveway sealant?
		Extends useful life of driveway. And improves its appearance.

		How often should you apply driveway sealant?
		Apply sealant every 4 years (August).

		How does Home-Wizard rate the costs and benefits for this task?
		The cost of this task is moderately high. It is estimated that this task should only take 2-4 hours to complete, depending on the size, age and condition of your driveway. If you don't hire a professional service to do this for you, then you will need to assemble the necessary supplies.

		The benefits of this task are moderately high. Doing this task can help extend the useful life of your driveway, and maintains its appearance.

		Overall Home-Wizard benefit-versus-cost rating (one 'hat' = low and four 'hats' = high):

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