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 Your email address will not be published.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