Driveway maintenance
Standards
DISPLACEMENT:  A driveway section that has been displaced (risen or sunken) by 3/4 inch or
more is unacceptable and must be replaced.

DAMAGE: A driveway section which is broken into 3 or more pieces is unacceptable and must be
replaced

CRACKS: A driveway section damaged with a crack greater than 1/4 inch in width is unacceptable
and must be replaced.

UNSIGHTLY REPAIRS: Driveway sections with unsightly, uneven, not level, or non-aggregate
patched repairs are unacceptable and must be replaced.

UNSIGHTLY REPAIR: Driveway sections with unsightly, uneven, unleveled, or non-aggregate
patched repairs are unacceptable.
Remedy - Replace each displaced, damaged and unsightly section with natural exposed
aggregate according to the RCCA Driveway Replacement Specifications and Additional Driveway
Standards.

DINGY: Driveways with moss, oil stains or dirt-covered areas are unacceptable.
Remedy – Power wash to brighten and clean; Spray moss with vinegar.  

REMEDY: Each section must be replaced with matching natural exposed aggregate.     

The property management company will send notices to owners with driveways with the
problems described above.
The notice will:
  • instruct the owner to submit a Home Improvement Application describing how they plan to
    resolve the problem to ensure that it is fixed appropriately
  • include a Home Improvement Application form
  • include photos with the damaged sections circled
  • include copies of the RCCA Driveway Replacement Specifications, RCCA Additional
    Driveway Standards, and RCCA Driveway Recommendations
                             
    RCCA RECOMMENDATIONS ON DRIVEWAY
Your Contractor
  • Make sure your contractor will:
    1) follow standard driveway construction practices,
    2) prevent concrete run-off into storm drains during construction
    3) procure a city permit.
  • Many fly-by-nights and cheap contractors do such poor work that the driveway fails in a  
short time and has to be reconstructed. To avoid them, call their references and check their
license with the California State Licensing Board at www.cslb.ca.gov/ to certify that the contractor
is in good standing.  

Preventing Future Driveway Damage
  • Never allow a heavy bin or dump truck on your driveway as it may cause significant
    cracking. Consider requesting that your roofer use a light trailer to load roof debris.
  • Before replacing all or some sections of the driveway, identify the source of the damage
    and take measures to remove or minimize them. Concrete is susceptible to the damage
    associated with earth movement, water runoff undermining the structure, excess weight of
    heavy trucks, uneven distribution of weight when owners run over the corners of a
    driveway near the street, and from root pressure of nearby trees.
  • To request advice from the City tree arborist, call 311.

FYI: City inspectors enforce City street sidewalk standards.
To report sidewalk trip-and-fall hazards or unsightly damage, call 311.
    April 2010
               RUST STAINS ON YOUR CONCRETE DRIVEWAY, SIDEWALK OR PATIO?
To remove rust stains from concrete there are several methods to try. You can purchase
commercial  rust stain removers from your local hardware store or you can try ordinary household
items to do the job.

Lemon juice, which contains acid, is a natural remedy for removing rust stains from concrete and
other hard surfaces. Pour or squeeze undiluted lemon juice on rust stains, and let it sit for
several minutes. If the stains are on the side of a concrete foundation, put lemon juice in a spray
bottle, and spray the rust-covered surface. Use a sturdy bristle brush to scrub the area, and then
rinse the lemon juice away along with the stain.

Another natural solution for rust removal is ordinary household vinegar. Apple cider vinegar and
white vinegar both contain acid. Use either one to aid in the removal of unsightly rust stains.
Either pour or spray undiluted vinegar on the stains, and allow it to set for several minutes. Scrub
the area with a sturdy bristle brush, and rinse the vinegar and stains away.

Remember that lemon juice and vinegar can damage plants, so it shouldn't be sprayed around
planting areas.
                                                                                                                                        August 2010