A well cared for concrete driveway adds beauty and functionality to your home. But cracked, worn and stained concrete makes your home look less appealing and may even lower its value. Does your old concrete driveway need to be replaced? Not necessarily, says Bill Sudlow of Sudlow Concrete, but you may want to replace it anyway if you’re unhappy with its appearance. Sudlow, whose company offers concrete driveway repair in the Atlanta metro area, says that old, cracked concrete driveways can seriously impact your home’s curb appeal. A new driveway, he says, is a relatively inexpensive way to give the exterior of your home a facelift.
Driveways with Cracks
If your driveway is cracked or chipped, repairs are certainly in order. Not only are cracks unsightly, they can also pose safety hazards and be tough on vehicles. However, minor cracks in your concrete driveway may not necessarily warrant replacing the entire thing.
“Not all driveways need to be replaced,” says Sudlow. “Sometimes it’s possible instead to do a second or a couple of sections and leave much of the existing driveway intact.” When this isn’t done carefully, however, the patched section may be quite obvious. There are, however, ways to avoid a “mismatched” appearance. The older section of concrete can be power washed, for example. This will lighten the color of the older section so that it’s a better match for the new section. If you’re concerned about a two-toned driveway, however, then replacement is probably the best option.
Driveways without Cracks
If your driveway isn’t cracked but has become discolored, then power washing may help to bring back some of its former appeal. “Power washing,” Sudlow says, “can improve the look of a concrete driveway if it is still structurally intact. This can make the driveway look newer, but isn’t going to make it look perfect.” For a brand new look, Sudlow recommends driveway replacement.
Choosing a Contractor
Should you decide to replace your concrete driveway, Sudlow says that choosing the right contractor is extremely important. Sudlow Concrete, he says, offers a number of advantages for homeowners in the Atlanta metro area. “We bring over 14 years of experience to each project,” he says. “That means you can be sure every aspect of the project will be handled with care.”
Sudlow Concrete also prides itself on working closely with the homeowner to achieve just the right look and function for each driveway. “We design concrete specifically for each customer,” Sudlow says.
There are several other reasons to choose Sudlow Concrete over the competition. The company has earned “A+” ratings with Angie’s List (an Internet-based rating service) and the Better Business Bureau, and its small size ensures that customers receive prompt, personalized attention.
Caring for Your Concrete Driveway
One benefit of concrete, Sudlow says, is that it’s virtually maintenance-free. Ensuring the longest possible lifespan for your new concrete driveway is really a matter of having it properly installed to begin with.
A concrete driveway, when properly installed, can have a lifespan of up to 40 years. “This is why upwards of 90% of driveways in the Atlanta area are concrete,” Sudlow says. “When it’s installed correctly, it looks great and lasts for years.”