Concrete Maintenance Tips

​Concrete is not normally a surface that we think of when talking about general maintenance and upkeep. Yet we have all passed by a home or business that has large cracks running through an oil stained driveway, or walked on a concrete surface that has become pitted and gritty after years of exposure to the elements. 
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Concrete, just like anything else, can greatly benefit from regular maintenance. It is already such a durable surface and a little bit of care can extend its life even more.

Here are a few tips to help keep your concrete looking and working great.

Regular Cleaning

A yearly cleaning to remove dirt and grime will go a long way in extending the life of your concrete and simply sweeping it periodically throughout the year will make the job a little easier. The surface may only need a rinse with a garden hose to wash away all the dirt, but for those stubborn spots and grease stains use a power washer and concrete cleaning solutions.

Sealing Joints

Sealers are a soft, flexible compound that adheres to the concrete and fills the joints between concrete sections to keep debris out. An unsealed joint provides opportunity for plants to take root in the space and grow to be an unsightly distraction in your concrete surface. Worse than that an unsealed joint will allow for water to get under the pad where it can eventually jeopardize the surface stability. This is even more important in a cool climate. The water freezes and expands which will put pressure on the concrete and compromise the surface integrity.

Sealing the Concrete Surface

One of the most threatening things to your concrete is the sun. The UV rays can accelerate surface wear. To protect against the damaging effects of the sun you can apply a concrete surface sealer. Sealing the surface will also protect it against water, abrasive materials, and help to prevent dust accumulation.

Repairing Cracks

If you have a surface that already has a few cracks you can repair them to prevent further damage and to bring some of the lost beauty back to your surface. The biggest reason to repair cracks is to, again, prevent water from getting under the concrete. 

All of these ideas can be accomplished yourself but if you need advice and expertise contact us at Tallahassee Concrete Contractors.