But, there are conditions that can shorten its lifespan and result in unsightly cracking, discoloration, settlement or scaling. This will stop water from eroding the soil underneath. A concrete driveway can last for 25 or more years with proper care and installation. February 3, 2017. Most landscaping elements have a life expectancy of 15 to 25. Alternatively, consider two tracks made of concrete or pavers for your car’s tires to drive on and leave the middle section as grass. This requires a solid plan with frequent maintenance of every 2 to 3 years. Exposure to extreme weather can cause wear and fading; cracks can develop, or oil leaks from vehicles can lead to stains. Increase your driveway lifespan by carrying out routine maintenance as needed. We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. See our blog post What is concrete shrinkage? Take care to not let thick sealant gather in the imprinted pattern, this can ruin the look of your driveway. By itself, concrete is a very durable construction material. • What causes sinkholes? Sealcoat and Fill Cracks. It is not unusual for a concrete driveway to have a useful life of 25 to 30 years, if installed properly. Concrete needs time to set and harden properly, any traffic on it in the first week will significantly damage its structural integrity. Other, generic sealants will actually contribute to paver deterioration. Many homeowners believe a concrete driveway doesn’t need maintenance and will hold up for decades. Since concrete is a rigid, non-flexible material, it can handle heavier loads. • How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? Brick pavers are made of fired clay which does weather with time. 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? With a durable material such as concrete, the environment is conserved as well as waste reduced. Cracks should be filled as and when they appear and sealants should be applied once every two years. Solid vs. •• Adding too much water to mix, which weakens the concrete and promotes shrinkage cracks. However, because of its exposure to the elements and heavy use, that isn’t the truth. How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More! You can expect a well-constructed and quality asphalt driveway to last between 15 – 25 years, a bit short when comparing concrete vs. asphalt. The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. • Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? Sprinklers and valves last about 20, while underground PVC piping has a lifespan of 25. << What size in tons is my Fujitsu heat pump or air conditioner? You can expect a well-constructed concrete driveway to last for around 30 years. Just like all the plants in your garden, green driveways will need regular care. Eventually, all concrete driveways crack and become unsightly. The typical causes of concrete driveway distress include: An improperly compacted subgrade Unlike asphalt, concrete will only need to sealed once every 3 – 5 years. The term durability means that something can last for a long period of time without significantly deteriorating. Correctly placed joints. While a new driveway can be costly, knowing when to repair, resurface or just reseal can save much more time and cost. No amount of maintenance will make up for hiring an unqualified concrete contractor to begin with. For the ADA definition of a trip hazard, go to What floor level change is a trip hazard? Your brick paver driveway should also be pressure cleaned once a year or so. Once the driveway is constructed, your main tasks will be refilling cracks and sealing the asphalt. 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. That seems like a long time but I thought it could last much longer. 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. Leave a Comment. for rating of other house components. 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. Once the surface is prepped, a delivery of the gravel itself will cost around $800.00. Then the lifted edges of the cracks become a trip hazard. • Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? Many homeowners then choose to spread the stones themselves for a further saving. This can also be done by yourself if you have a pressure washing system. for more on this. Ideally, a concrete driveway will last the lifetime of your home. During that time it is still possible to pierce, chip or otherwise harm the newly paved driveway. Concrete driveways are a complex project and hiring a professional for the installation is a … Your email address will not be published. • How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? We are in Florida and provide plenty of information about hurricanes and sinkholes, for example, but nothing on basements and ice dams. Brick paved driveways can set you back upwards of $20 per square foot. What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? While a concrete driveway has more upfront costs than an asphalt one, it has a longer life span. Other maintenance includes removing weeds from between each paver. Unlike other materials, gravel requires little more than extra stones as and when needed. 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 the top of your asphalt means that oxidation can’t occur as easily. NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. By dcc-admin. To install a gridded and long-lasting green lawn driveway that takes well to being driven on, you’re looking at. To help your pavers longevity, make sure that you regularly seal them with a sealant made specifically for this material. If there are cracks in the pavement, seal them as adamantly and frequently … The Average Lifespan of Concrete. Thankfully it doesn’t require much time or money to do so and is an easy way to keep the area around your home looking its best way. 3. •• Not adequately scoring the concrete, to contain any minor cracks within the score cuts. I asked the bidding contractors how long I might expect the concrete to last. Are they actually useful? Experiencing over 60+ years of building driveways in the Twin Cities has shown us that the lifespan of properly installed and maintained asphalt driveways average about 20 years for brand new driveways at new homes, and 28 years for replacement driveways. Powered by BizBudding Inc. Concrete ‘s normal life span is 30 to 40 years. When comparing concrete vs. asphalt driveways,  costs are a bit higher than asphalt but still not as expensive as pavers. Aesthetically pleasing yes, cheap, no. Concrete driveways are permanent, low maintenance additions to your home that can improve its appearance, give kids a safe place to ride scooters, decrease erosion, and make keeping your car clean easier. How to Fill a Void Under a Concrete Driveway. What Is The Proper Way To Grade A Driveway Before Installing Concrete? On average, a 2-car driveway will set you back around $3,000.00. Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane? •• Heavy truck tires driving over edge of the slab. Like concrete, sealing pavers is straightforward and doesn’t need the help of a paving contractor. Hire a Reliable Concrete Contractor. How Does Concrete Driveway Damage Occur? Asphalt normally lasts around 20 years. A good source of information on contractors is your local concrete producer. The biggest maintenance task you’ll face will likely be pushing stones back onto your driveway. Tennis courts can last a lifetime if they are recoated; most coatings last 12 to 15. A standard concrete mix is 2,500-psi. • What is a chimney sinkhole? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •. Tips to Clean and Seal Driveway. A properly installed asphalt driveway will perform much like concrete (step up in durability and price) but at a much lower cost. 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. How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? average lifespan of brick paver driveways is around 25 years, Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement. There are a variety of maintenance steps that must occur throughout a driveway’s lifespan to ensure longevity. Sealants can be added to concrete, asphalt and brick driveways. How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? How Much Does It Cost To Install A Concrete Driveway? Also, we suggest reading our article What causes cracks in a driveway? Selecting an experienced and qualified contractor is the most important step in assuring a long service life for a concrete driveway. Are they actually useful? New concrete should NOT be sealed until they are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks old. If you live in a place with a moderate climate – never too hot and never too cool – your brick pavers may last a bit longer than this. Lifespan With the right care and maintenance, both types of driveways will last decades. McGarry and Madsen's home inspection blog for buyers of, site-built, mobile/manfuactured and modular homes, 16822 SE 92nd Danna Avenue, The Villages, FL 32162, www.thevillagesbestinspector.com • Comments or questions to  mcgarryandmadsen@mac.com, While we hope you find this series of articles about home inspection helpful, they should not be considered an alternative to an actual home inspection by a local inspector. Asphalt is typically half the price and lasts for about 20 years. 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. 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. Unlike concrete and asphalt, gravel will never crack or sink. To proactively make sure your new concrete driveway looks good for longer, make sure that you stay off it for at least 7 days after it has been laid. This is best done with a sprayer and an anti-weed solution. Causes For Settling in Asphalt Driveway. • What is my chance of buying a Florida home over a sinkhole? Visit our SITE page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. Concrete should then be sealed every 3 to 5 years thereafter to slow down the deterioration process. Arkansas’ hot, humid weather conditions allow moisture to expand within the concrete, which has the potential to cause cracks and divots to develop. Because concrete is permeable it will draw moisture from the ground that it rests on. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding concrete driveway installation. See our blog post Why are there score line grooves in the concrete floor of the garage? How to Floor Your Attic Without Wrecking Your Roof, Curtain Rods: Hang Them Without Drilling Holes, 10 Easy Recipes for Natural Cleaning Products, Episode #2064: Two Ways to Get Warm Floors | DIY Pick-Me-Ups for Winter | Best Firewood | Projects for the New Year | Your Q & A, Episode #2063: How to Winterize Your Garage | How to Make Insurance Companies Pay for Winter Damage | Tips for Counter Cleaning | Your Q & A, Episode #2062: Smart Water Heaters | Stopping Ice Dams | Easy Winter Hacks for Snow and Ice | Your Q & A, Episode #2061: Best Filters for Clean Air | Smart Home Products That Protect | New Flood-Proof Water Heaters | Your Q&A, Episode #2060: Top 5 DIY Pandemic Projects | Sound-Proofing | Best Veggies that Grow Indoors | Your Q&A. Tread lightly and avoid any aggressive driving behavior during the first month of the driveway's life and the concrete will hold its shape for years to come. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Concrete driveways generally remain functional for 25 to 50 years, depending on how well built they were and how well they have been maintained. If you do the job yourself, you can cut back on around half of this price. Firstly, make sure that your driveway has good water drainage. Subscribe: ... How To Repair a Gap Between Your Driveway and Garage. The lifespan of stamped concrete is the same as with plain concrete, around 30 years if well maintained. >>. When it comes to cost-effective driveways, you can’t beat gravel. Ideally, concrete driveways should first be sealed a few months after they’re paved, and then resealed at least once every two years. Whether you need to install a new driveway or replace an old one, asphalt is almost certainly one of the options you will consider. Concrete Mix: Figure 2 - Poured concrete driveway. Polyvinyl fences are designed to last as long as the house, and asphalt driveways should last between 15 and 20. With regular top-ups, gravel will last for a very long time. The goal with any driveway should be to maximize the life expectancy as much as possible before having to completely remove and replace it. 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. While random cracks are generally not a structural problem and will not reduce the service life of the driveway, they can be an eyesore. "You can use your asphalt driveway the … •• Tree roots growing under slab, soil movement under slab. As with plain concrete, a sealant should be applied every 3 – 5 years. Should A Base Be Installed Prior To Installing A Concrete Driveway? Typically, concrete lasts up to 30 years, while asphalt lasts up to 20 years. While concrete driveways can last decades, some things can cause damage that shortens their lifespan. According to the Federal Highway Administration, the average life of a concrete road is about 40 years, but that can be much lower in a place where freezing and thawing wreak havoc on the structure. •• Lack of, or inadequate, steel mesh and/or fiber reinforcing. ow accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Because of the potentially intricate work involved, the average cost of a stamped concrete driveway runs around the $10 – $15 per square foot mark. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. Asphalt Driveway Lifespan. Aggregate Driveway. What is the average life expectancy of a concete walkway? © McGarry and Madsen, page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the. Concrete Driveways. Because gravel is made up of many loose stones, it won’t last very long if not regularly topped up. Making this a very. Also unlike asphalt, sealing concrete requires little more than a sealant and a roller brush. It also has the potential to “leak” into your lawn. Both solid concrete (with a standard tooled finish) and aggregate driveways are durable, long-lasting options. How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? • How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? Once the concrete is set, try to keep all very heavy vehicles off it if possible. To help prevent random cracking, control joints should be placed at a maximum spacing of 10 feet for a 4-inch-thick driveway slab. Concrete is a durable material that can last a lifetime. The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. 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. Take care with using your lawn mower over a gridded green driveway, a weed whacker may be a better choice. 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. All driveways age and deteriorate and become a use and safety hazard. What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? 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. 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. Stamped concrete is not cheap. Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? The difference is due to the additional settling of soils at older homes. 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. Asphalt driveways are an even more affordable driveway option that is widely … This can be avoided though if you install a low barrier between your driveway and your yard. This is mostly watering and trimming. The range given was from twenty to thirty years. A concrete driveway typically lasts 50-60 percent longer than asphalt driveways, with less maintenance along the way. • What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? 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