Is A Bitumen Driveway Cheaper Than Concrete?

Is A Bitumen Driveway Cheaper Than Concrete?

Yes, bitumen has a lower initial cost in general. Simply explained, this is because a bitumen road requires fewer materials than a concrete road. Bitumen roads require simply the petroleum product and a limited variety of aggregates.

Concrete will thus cost somewhat more to produce, but will return this cost in the long run through maintenance savings.

It’s vital to remember that bitumen is a petroleum byproduct, and its price might vary based on the worldwide price of a barrel of oil. And, while it’s a long way off, oil won’t last forever; repairing a bitumen road might become prohibitively expensive in the future.

Although this is important to note, regardless of the material used, it is generally better to leave your driveway at least a couple days to a week to thoroughly set. In most circumstances, bitumen roads are ready in a day or less, but concrete takes a few days to a week to attain full strength.

The costs of maintenance are a little more difficult. Bitumen is far more susceptible to deterioration over time.

Repairing the damage is significantly simpler to finance because the bitumen itself is less expensive, and it just takes a simple re-layering. Concrete is far more durable, and driveways may remain for decades without being damaged.

However, damage to the concrete’s integrity might jeopardize the rest of the driveway. Concrete always requires a stable base to be rebuilt on, therefore concrete repairs might be more extensive.

Can You Top Coat A Concrete Driveway?

Yes, you can topcoat a concrete driveway. A new concrete driveway looks fantastic, but the continual battering it takes from nature will cause fractures, gaps, and a worn appearance over time. A coating will revitalize the look of your concrete driveway.

You’ll need to locate another parking spot for two days while you prep the surface and apply the topcoat, but once finished, you’ll have a new, appealing driveway that will complement the look of your home.

As a homeowner, you understand the importance of maintaining your property, especially your driveway. It’s not always simple to keep your driveway in good condition. You must understand when it is necessary to cover it or have it repaved.

Here are the procedures for applying a top coat on concrete driveways;

• Use a long-handled scrub brush to push the degreaser into any oil streaks on the driveway. Allow the degreaser to work for the time suggested on the box before pressure washing it.
• If any sticky discharge develops in the spray as it drains from the pressure washing, repeat the degreasing operation until the leakage seems to be transparent.
• Locate and demolish any loose concrete sections with a masonry chisel and hammer. Sweep up and dispose of any debris left behind from the chipping in the hole.
• Cover a 5-gallon bucket with enough pre-mixed concrete patch to fill the space with a masonry trowel.

Cover the hole with the patch and trowel the top smooth to match the surrounding asphalt, following the manufacturer’s mixing and application directions on the kit.

• Allow the concrete to cure overnight after it has been pressure cleaned and fixed. Then, in the middle of the lane, pour a concrete-bonding agent and use a paint roller with an extension stick to distribute an equal coating over the whole concrete surface. Before sealing the entire driveway, apply extra bonding chemicals to areas that appear to be weak.
• Allow the concrete bonding agent to cure completely. Then, apply a gallon of concrete topcoat from a 5-gallon bucket to the driveway using a floor squeegee and distribute it evenly and completely.
• Apply extra topcoat as needed to ensure an equal layer throughout the whole driveway. Allow the topcoat to dry as directed on the label before applying a second and, if required, a third layer.
• Allow the last application of the topcoat to completely dry before covering the driveway with a roll of heavy-duty plastic to protect it while it dries. Cover the driveway for at least 48 hours before using it normally.