Page 33 - Allison Van Wig's MAGAZINE Spring 2022 Issue
P. 33

When we think of New Year’s         weather. Mother Nature can wreak havoc
                                                                                                                                   resolutions, we normally think      on your home’s exterior, so here are four
                                                                                                                                   about ourselves—diet, exercise,     considerations for taking care of this
                                                                                                                                   daily habits, and other personal    important piece of your property.
                                                                                                                                   goals. However, resolutions to

                                                                                                                                   improve your home can be easier     What causes driveway issues?
                                                  written by: MATTHEW BRADY                                                        to keep, especially if you plan ahead   Most driveway problems are beneath
                                                       DELVING INTO                                                                for them. What’s more, they tend    the surface. Water from rain, snow, and


                                                                                                                                   to pay dividends long after those
                                                                                                                                                                       thawed ice can seep through the ground
                             driveways                                                                                             other resolutions have fallen by    under the driveway, causing it to shift.
                                                                                                                                   the wayside.
                                                                                                                                                                       In addition, weeds and tree roots can
                                                                                                                                                                       break through. All of these can result in
                                                                                                                                   That’s the kind of impact a driveway can   cracks, crumbling, pooling of water, and
                                                                                                                                   have on a home’s curb appeal. Not only   other problems.
                                                                                                                                   that, a driveway serves many purposes for
                                                                                                                                   a homeowner. It’s secure outdoor flooring   Can the seasons cause
                                                                                                                                   for your vehicle and a place for hopscotch,   different issues?
                                                                                                                                   chalk drawings, and a basketball hoop   Rain and ice wreak the most havoc on
                                                                                                                                   for kids. Perhaps most important, it’s    driveways, so, other than making some
                                                                                                                                   the first thing that welcomes you home    driveway surfaces dangerously hot,

                                                                                                                                   at night.                           summer tends to cause the least number
                                                                                                                                                                       of problems. Winter is another story.
                                                                                                                                   So driveway upkeep is vital, especially if   Areas of the country that dip below
                                                                                                                                   you live in an area that experiences cold   freezing are prone to thawing ice, which



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