---

How Long Should Your Concrete Driveway Last?

A driveway installed by a professional concrete sidewalk contractor like Sidewalk Contractors NYC & Concrete Services gives your home a beautifully finished look, a convenient space to walk, and a safe parking spot for your vehicles. While some driveways are made of gravel, dirt, and asphalt, concrete is one of the most popular building materials for driveways. In this article from our concrete driveway professionals, you'll learn just how long your driveway should last and what some of the advantages are of choosing a concrete driveway for your home.

The Average Lifespan Of A Concrete Driveway

A residential concrete driveway can last between 25 and 30 years, and if well-taken-care-of, it can last up to 50 years. Of course, this depends on how the driveway was installed, how much it's used, and what kind of maintenance you put into it. A professional concrete driveway professional can offer important maintenance services like the following to keep your driveway in great shape for as long as possible:

• Reinforcing: It's easy to avoid chips, cracks, and breakage when you trust a concrete contractor to reinforce your driveway. Using a mixture similar to that of the driveway itself, a pro can fortify the concrete so it can stay strong and blemish-free.
• Fill potholes: If a chunk of concrete makes a pothole in your driveway, it could cause a myriad of issues as time passes. Potholes can fill with water and weaken the material, leading to damage to its foundation and more. They can also damage your vehicles, creating problems outside of the driveway itself. Concrete experts can fill these holes and return your driveway to a safe, beautiful state.
• Crack repairs: Foot and vehicle traffic, heavy loads, and the natural settling of the earth beneath your driveway can all cause stress cracks. Even the smallest of cracks can get bigger and grow longer quickly, so it's important to call in a professional to take care of things before it gets out of hand.

Advantages Of Concrete Surfaces

Compared to asphalt and other driveway materials, concrete offers a longer-lasting, more durable, heat-resistant, and customizable surface. A concrete driveway will provide a strong surface that can take on heavier loads like trucks, motorhomes, and other large vehicles. The customizable quality of concrete is one advantage people don't often comment on or even realize. Stamped concrete can come in many different textures and colors, adding a unique look to your home's appearance. Lastly, concrete is far better at withstanding high temperatures than other driveway materials like asphalt. Extended exposure to direct sunlight can cause asphalt to warp and deform over time, but concrete always holds up!.

Things That Can Shorten Concrete's Lifespan

If you're looking to get a concrete driveway installed and want it to last as long as possible, there are several things you should watch out for as you're searching for an installation contractor:

• Lack of cleaning
• Unprofessional installation
• Improperly prepared foundation
• Excessive weight

If you hire a contractor who doesn't prepare your driveway's foundation the right way, the concrete could crack and break far earlier than it should. This could lead to a complete (and expensive) driveway replacement, which is why it's vital to work with a trusted contractor in your area who has the skills and know-how on installing a concrete driveway. Luckily, you've got that trusted contractor in us! If a concrete driveway might be right for you, give us a call today to learn more about how our services can serve you.