HOMES PLUS 11 AUGUST 2011 Local experts say some materials for driveways exceed others SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin driveways are asked to survive four seasons of  weather, to be economical and green, to support outdoor recreation and look good doing it.   While it’s difficult to find the perfect driveway, some materials are better than others, according to local experts with the Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council Inc. How do different driveways react to the summer heat? Which material will sur- vive next winter’s frost? When will cracks appear?  What about parking a boat or recreational vehicle? What is a good drive- way for families who play basketball, use sidewalk chalk, ride bicycles, skate or snowmobile? Crushed gravel driveways are the least expensive option. Frost heaves aren’t a problem and there’s less repair because there’s no paved surface to break – no sealing, patching, or cleaning.  With little maintenance, gravel driveways can have a long life. However, gravel driveways are less appealing because of  ice, mess and holes.   Jim May of  Wolf  Paving Co. Inc, Oconomowoc, said that in winter, gravel will ice up, and it won’t be a flat, clean surface for the shovel or snow blower. Homeowners are at the mercy of  the weather. “In summer, a lot will drag in the house. Gravel driveways also develop pot- holes,” he added. Gravel has an additional role. The secret to long-lasting driveways is a good founda- tion – and strong concrete and asphalt driveways are typically built using crushed gravel as a 6- to 12-inch thick base underneath. This gravel base should be installed over good soil sub-grade, com- pacted, and set up six inches beyond the width of  the driveway. Asphalt Asphalt and concrete are better for Wis- consin homes, especially in winter, according to May. Asphalt will not break down when exposed to salt or other de- icing chemicals.   “In winter, the dark color helps melt snow,” May said. “Like anything in Wis- consin, the extremes in weather and win- ter frost will eventually produce cracks – regardless of  what material is used for paving.” Fixing cracks doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive.   “Asphalt is easily crack-filled using hot pour materials. Sealers also can be applied to extend the life span of  the drive,” he said. On new driveways, homeowners should allow at least six months for the oils in the asphalt to evaporate before applying the first coat of  sealer. If  properly main- tained, the driveway should last at least 25 years. Asphalt is a great choice for families who want to play on their driveway.   “Asphalt is a bit softer as a play surface, and there are no seams to trip on,” May said. “It is most often the choice for school playgrounds and makes an excellent play surface for home sites.  The seamless, smooth surface is excellent for wheeled toys, basketball courts, and as a ‘chalk- board’ for young artists.” One problem is the summer heat, which can make asphalt soft.  During the sum- mer, ruts and cracks can develop from the weight of  parked vehicles. Concrete Concrete driveways are common for their attractiveness and durability. According to Anna Baird-Luedke of  Coel- lo & Associates in Waukesha, concrete driveways should last 25 to 30 years if properly installed and maintained. “We do suggest routinely sealing con- crete driveways to protect them from the harsh salts and chemicals used on the roads in winter,” she said. If  water does not bead on the surface, then the sealer has worn away and it’s time to seal again.   “Sealing the concrete will also keep water from penetrating the surface in the winter, which can cause concrete to pop or chip if  that water freezes beneath the sur- face,” she said. Baird-Luedke recom- mendes getting commercial-grade sealers from local concrete suppliers. While asphalt driveways can break down along the edges, “concrete is more rigid and will maintain its strong lines,” Baird-Luedke said.  Concrete has seams and is a hard surface – bad for skinning knees, good for making it through hot Wisconsin summers.   Additionally, while asphalt gets hot and soft in high heat, concrete is light in color and doesn’t get as hot in the summer months. May added, “Being light in color, it does not allow much for melting in winter.”   Winter can be hard on unprotected con- crete, which is prone to cracks during temperature swings and, unlike asphalt, is damaged by salt and other de-icing chemi- cals. Submitted photo If properly installed and maintained, concrete driveways can provide homes with last- ing appeal. Follow these tips to keep your home safe SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS There are more than 2.15 million bur- glaries each year, more than 65 percent of which are residential break-ins, with the majority occurring in the peak vacation months of  July and August, according to an Insurance Information Institute report. Follow these 10 tips to ready your home and keep it safe when you’re away: 1. Ask someone you know and trust to keep an eye on your house. 2. Stop delivery of  your mail and news- papers – or have a friend or neighbor pick them up for you. 3. Keep bushes and shrubs near your home’s entrance and walkway well- trimmed. Use timers on lights, televisions and radios to provide sound and illumi- nate the inside of  your home. 4. Keep shades up and blinds and cur- tains open to make it appear as if  you’re home. 5. Keep the outside of  your home well lit. Would-be thieves prefer not to be seen. 6. Arrange to have your lawn main- tained if  you will be gone for more than a few days. 7. Leave the air conditioner on. A silent compressor on a hot day is a good indica- tion you aren’t home. 8. If  your home has a land line, turn down the ringer on your phone. A con- stantly ringing phone is a good sign no one is home. 9. Before you leave, unplug everything except the refrigerator, freezer, and the lights and radios you have set on timers. Check to be sure the oven and stove, as well as small heat-generating appliances, such as hair dryers and curling irons, are turned off. 10. Where possible, turn off  the water to your sinks, toilets, dishwasher, wash- ing machine and hot water heater. Source: ARA Content