average lifespan of brick paver driveways is around 25 years, Basement Waterproofing Tips | How to Fix a Wet Basement. Asphalt driveways are an even more affordable driveway option that is widely … That seems like a long time but I thought it could last much longer. Solid vs. Are they actually useful? 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. 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. Sealcoat and Fill Cracks. No amount of maintenance will make up for hiring an unqualified concrete contractor to begin with. How soon can I use my driveway after paving? Concrete driveways generally remain functional for 25 to 50 years, depending on how well built they were and how well they have been maintained. • How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? The biggest maintenance task you’ll face will likely be pushing stones back onto your driveway. Which trees are most likely to fall over on your house in a hurricane? The lifespan of your new asphalt driveway is heavily dependent on the climate. Sealing the top of your asphalt means that oxidation can’t occur as easily. Concrete Mix: Figure 2 - Poured concrete driveway. Unlike asphalt, concrete will only need to sealed once every 3 – 5 years. 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. Because concrete is permeable it will draw moisture from the ground that it rests on. Also unlike asphalt, sealing concrete requires little more than a sealant and a roller brush. To help prevent random cracking, control joints should be placed at a maximum spacing of 10 feet for a 4-inch-thick driveway slab. New concrete should NOT be sealed until they are at minimum 3 to 4 weeks old. Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? << What size in tons is my Fujitsu heat pump or air conditioner? Polyvinyl fences are designed to last as long as the house, and asphalt driveways should last between 15 and 20. What is the average life expectancy of a concete walkway? Money Pit Team. • Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? With regular top-ups, gravel will last for a very long time. For a driveway, you will want a much stronger mix of 4,000-psi, with a 0.5 water to cement ratio, which provides a denser concrete and hence increases the wear ability. Sealing a concrete driveway is a sensible way to protect and extend the lifespan of the material. Brick paved driveways can set you back upwards of $20 per square foot. A concrete driveway typically lasts 50-60 percent longer than asphalt driveways, with less maintenance along the way. 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. 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. It also has the potential to “leak” into your lawn. 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. 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. You can expect a well-constructed concrete driveway to last for around 30 years. How to Make Natural Wood Stain Using Coffee, Berries & More! A good source of information on contractors is your local concrete producer. Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. While concrete driveways can last decades, some things can cause damage that shortens their lifespan. A properly installed asphalt driveway will perform much like concrete (step up in durability and price) but at a much lower cost. This can be avoided though if you install a low barrier between your driveway and your yard. How Does Concrete Driveway Damage Occur? Facebook 0 Tweet 0 Pin 0 LinkedIn 0 Email 0. Aggregate Driveway. Compare costs to those of a gravel driveway or an asphalt driveway. Take care with using your lawn mower over a gridded green driveway, a weed whacker may be a better choice. • How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? Asphalt Driveway Lifespan. When it comes to cost-effective driveways, you can’t beat gravel. With a durable material such as concrete, the environment is conserved as well as waste reduced. To help your pavers longevity, make sure that you regularly seal them with a sealant made specifically for this material. • What is a chimney sinkhole? It is not unusual for a concrete driveway to have a useful life of 25 to 30 years, if installed properly. 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. During that time it is still possible to pierce, chip or otherwise harm the newly paved driveway. How to Fill a Void Under a Concrete Driveway. Increase your driveway lifespan by carrying out routine maintenance as needed. Leave a Comment. Your brick paver driveway should also be pressure cleaned once a year or so. Selecting an experienced and qualified contractor is the most important step in assuring a long service life for a concrete driveway. Concrete driveways are a complex project and hiring a professional for the installation is a … Also, we suggest reading our article What causes cracks in a driveway? There are a variety of maintenance steps that must occur throughout a driveway’s lifespan to ensure longevity. 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. How Much Does It Cost To Install A Concrete Driveway? Tennis courts can last a lifetime if they are recoated; most coatings last 12 to 15. 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? I asked the bidding contractors how long I might expect the concrete to last. Sealants can be added to concrete, asphalt and brick driveways. Concrete should then be sealed every 3 to 5 years thereafter to slow down the deterioration process. What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? You’ll know when it’s time to seal again because bare pavement will be seen in patches where there’s more traffic. NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMae, and our own professional experience. Occasional sealing of concrete is sufficient to keep it looking great. Should A Base Be Installed Prior To Installing A Concrete Driveway? The difference is due to the additional settling of soils at older homes. Sprinklers and valves last about 20, while underground PVC piping has a lifespan of 25. Because gravel is made up of many loose stones, it won’t last very long if not regularly topped up. •• Heavy truck tires driving over edge of the slab. Many homeowners then choose to spread the stones themselves for a further saving. Once the driveway is constructed, your main tasks will be refilling cracks and sealing the asphalt. • What is my chance of buying a Florida home over a sinkhole? The goal with any driveway should be to maximize the life expectancy as much as possible before having to completely remove and replace it. However, because of its exposure to the elements and heavy use, that isn’t the truth. Once the surface is prepped, a delivery of the gravel itself will cost around $800.00. •• Adding too much water to mix, which weakens the concrete and promotes shrinkage cracks. Concrete ‘s normal life span is 30 to 40 years. February 3, 2017. By itself, concrete is a very durable construction material. As with plain concrete, a sealant should be applied every 3 – 5 years. Hire a Reliable Concrete Contractor. But, there are conditions that can shorten its lifespan and result in unsightly cracking, discoloration, settlement or scaling. 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. Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? We are not affiliated with, and do not receive any compensation from, any of the companies or products mentioned in this blog. Unlike other materials, gravel requires little more than extra stones as and when needed. While a new driveway can be costly, knowing when to repair, resurface or just reseal can save much more time and cost. Concrete driveways are more expensive to install, but last 30 years. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •. Aesthetically pleasing yes, cheap, no. Stamped concrete is not cheap. 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. If you do the job yourself, you can cut back on around half of this price. A standard concrete mix is 2,500-psi. However, installers say driveways may need to be replaced sooner or last longer depending on upkeep. >>. On average, a 2-car driveway will set you back around $3,000.00. Depending on how big your driveway is, DIY bricklaying can save you a lot of money initially. 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. for more on this. Asphalt normally lasts around 20 years. 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. For the ADA definition of a trip hazard, go to What floor level change is a trip hazard? Concrete Driveways. This will stop water from eroding the soil underneath. 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. The term durability means that something can last for a long period of time without significantly deteriorating. Both solid concrete (with a standard tooled finish) and aggregate driveways are durable, long-lasting options. Asphalt is typically half the price and lasts for about 20 years. ow accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? • What causes sinkholes? How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole? • Should I seal the pavers at my patio and driveway or not? Other, generic sealants will actually contribute to paver deterioration. Like concrete, sealing pavers is straightforward and doesn’t need the help of a paving contractor. The lifespan of stamped concrete is the same as with plain concrete, around 30 years if well maintained. If there are cracks in the pavement, seal them as adamantly and frequently … Concrete is a durable material that can last a lifetime. Just like all the plants in your garden, green driveways will need regular care. Lifespan With the right care and maintenance, both types of driveways will last decades. Will the electric company trim branches rubbing against the overhead service lines to my house? Whether you need to install a new driveway or replace an old one, asphalt is almost certainly one of the options you will consider. Cracks should be filled as and when they appear and sealants should be applied once every two years. A basic concrete driveway installed over a gravel base by a professional crew will cost $4 to $10 per square foot. •• Not adequately scoring the concrete, to contain any minor cracks within the score cuts. This requires a solid plan with frequent maintenance of every 2 to 3 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. © McGarry and Madsen, page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the. While random cracks are generally not a structural problem and will not reduce the service life of the driveway, they can be an eyesore. Eventually, all concrete driveways crack and become unsightly. DEAR TIM: I’m about to have a new concrete driveway installed as well as some sidewalks. Correctly placed joints. A concrete driveway can last for 25 or more years with proper care and installation. Other maintenance includes removing weeds from between each paver. Your email address will not be published. A word of caution here though, if you do not do a very. • What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? Concrete needs time to set and harden properly, any traffic on it in the first week will significantly damage its structural integrity. How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? Subscribe: ... How To Repair a Gap Between Your Driveway and Garage. •• Tree roots growing under slab, soil movement under slab. "You can use your asphalt driveway the … An asphalt driveway has a slightly shorter lifespan of about 20 years. To install a gridded and long-lasting green lawn driveway that takes well to being driven on, you’re looking at. Causes For Settling in Asphalt Driveway. Ideally, a concrete driveway will last the lifetime of your home. 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. See our blog post What is concrete shrinkage? This is mostly watering and trimming. Tips to Clean and Seal Driveway. Alternatively, consider two tracks made of concrete or pavers for your car’s tires to drive on and leave the middle section as grass. Asphalt Driveway. What Is The Proper Way To Grade A Driveway Before Installing Concrete? Because of the potentially intricate work involved, the average cost of a stamped concrete driveway runs around the $10 – $15 per square foot mark. • What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? The Average Lifespan of Concrete. Are they actually useful? for rating of other house components. While a concrete driveway has more upfront costs than an asphalt one, it has a longer life span. 3. 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. 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. Exposure to extreme weather can cause wear and fading; cracks can develop, or oil leaks from vehicles can lead to stains. What should I do about a tree with roots running under my house? By dcc-admin. Ideally, concrete driveways should first be sealed a few months after they’re paved, and then resealed at least once every two years. 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. 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? We are in Florida and provide plenty of information about hurricanes and sinkholes, for example, but nothing on basements and ice dams. Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane? Then the lifted edges of the cracks become a trip hazard. The range given was from twenty to thirty years. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Once the concrete is set, try to keep all very heavy vehicles off it if possible. How much is the ground required to slope away from a house? •• Lack of, or inadequate, steel mesh and/or fiber reinforcing. Unlike concrete and asphalt, gravel will never crack or sink. 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. Powered by BizBudding Inc. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding concrete driveway installation. 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. Most landscaping elements have a life expectancy of 15 to 25. Brick pavers are made of fired clay which does weather with time. 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. • How do I recognize structural problems in a retaining wall? Remember that concrete takes a full month (28 days) to completely dry and hold its strength. Firstly, make sure that your driveway has good water drainage. A quality siloxane concrete sealer can add years to the lifespan of a driveway at a low cost. When comparing concrete vs. asphalt driveways,  costs are a bit higher than asphalt but still not as expensive as pavers. This can also be done by yourself if you have a pressure washing system. 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. This is best done with a sprayer and an anti-weed solution. See our blog post Why are there score line grooves in the concrete floor of the garage? Since concrete is a rigid, non-flexible material, it can handle heavier loads. Many homeowners believe a concrete driveway doesn’t need maintenance and will hold up for decades. Concrete Driveway Lifespan When poured over a properly prepared subgrade in ideal conditions, outdoor concrete structures, including load-bearing driveways, should last up to 30 years or more. Typically, concrete lasts up to 30 years, while asphalt lasts up to 20 years. The typical causes of concrete driveway distress include: An improperly compacted subgrade You can expect a well-constructed and quality asphalt driveway to last between 15 – 25 years, a bit short when comparing concrete vs. asphalt. Concrete also requires very little driveway maintenance. If you’re considering this option you’ll likely have aesthetics in mind. All driveways age and deteriorate and become a use and safety hazard. Making this a very. Take care to not let thick sealant gather in the imprinted pattern, this can ruin the look of your driveway. Arkansas’ hot, humid weather conditions allow moisture to expand within the concrete, which has the potential to cause cracks and divots to develop. 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