Clean your concrete or masonry driveway on a regular basis. How often really depends on how much use the driveway gets and how much road traffic and other pollutants you have in your area. A pressure washer is the best tool for the job. Hiring professionals like Action Lawn & Landscape to do the job if your driveway has a lot of stains or other discoloration, we may be the best option since we have access to special products for stain removal.
Have sealer reapplied. Again, how often is dependent on how much use or wear and tear your driveway gets but every three to five years is a good rule of thumb. When hiring a company to re seal, research to make sure they actually have a license for concrete. Crews that go door to door offering to seal your driveway is a common scam that can result in damage to your concrete costing you more of your hard earned money in the end.
Don’t use your driveway to change your oil. If you’re like a lot of people you may do at least some maintenance on your own vehicle but whenever you change the oil there’s a high risk that it may spill onto the driveway. If you have no other option, use a large drip pan available at an automotive store. Clean up spills as soon as they occur. You can soak up excess oil with almost anything you have on hand that is absorbent including kitty litter, sawdust or cornmeal. Clean stains with soap and water or a commercial product intended specifically for concrete and masonry driveways.
Repair cracks when you first notice them. Cracks in concrete and masonry occur naturally due to shifting and settlement of the ground beneath. With the constant weather change in the Reno Nevada area, unexpected freezing and thawing of ice and snow can widen the cracks as can weeds and grass that take hold. Repair cracks while they are still small to help prevent further damage.
Avoid deicing products. The use of chemical deicing products on a cement or masonry driveway can literally eat away your driveway. They can also damage grass and other vegetation. Use sand on icy spots to avoid slipping and simply sweep it up in the spring.