Do you feel like your house needs a brand new look? A splash of colour to your usual plain grey concrete driveway could add the extra touch of uniqueness and vibrance that your home needs. That’s why you may have noticed that many homeowners are now opting for coloured concrete driveways in Melbourne. The best part about it is that it requires very little routine care. However, it doesn’t mean you can neglect its upkeep altogether! Here is a guide to maintaining your coloured concrete driveway.

Clean regularly

Regular concrete care and maintenance involves removing gasoline, grease, oil, and other spills as soon as they happen. Brown or black stains are often caused by leaks and spills from vehicles, meaning they are oil-based and challenging to remove. 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 a buildup.

Avoid using fertiliser

You might have noticed rust-coloured stains on your driveway; you may be surprised to know that fertiliser is a massive culprit in staining concrete. Iron leaks from fertiliser grains that stray onto concrete surfaces and then come into contact with water can cause unsightly stains on your concrete.

Unfortunately, you can’t remove such stains with water as the minerals from the fertiliser tend to be non-water soluble. 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 damage

While cleaning your driveway regularly, ensure that you look out for any fissures in the concrete that could lead to more extensive damage in the long run if not rectified immediately. Patch up any cracks that appear as soon as possible. You may need to call in professionals for help, but 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 gentle cleaning products

Avoid using harmful chemical-based products to clean your coloured concrete driveway, as they can be overly harsh and end up causing long-term damage. 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.

Minimise exposure to water

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.

Prevent cracks from forming

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 your driveway

Sealing is an essential step that makes cleaning your driveway easier, as a few coats of sealant can block the penetration of dirt and oil onto 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.

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.

Learn more about coloured concrete driveways

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!