How to Maintain Concrete
Whether you have a large concrete driveway or a small concrete patio, you want to extend the life of the flatwork and keep it looking great for a long time. Knowing how to maintain concrete can be the difference between concrete that grabs attention versus concrete that people are scared to walk on. Thankfully, maintaining concrete is a simple task that you can handle on your own.
Clean Your Concrete
If you want to keep your concrete looking good, you need to clean it. Cleaning your concrete can help remove dirt and debris and give the final form an attractive look. There are different ways to clean concrete, so find the option that makes the most sense for your specific need.
Seal Your Concrete
Sealing your concrete can help extend the life and keep it looking great. There are different types of concrete sealers available. Topical sealers can be applied to the surface of the concrete every few years in order to prevent staining and surface damage. Always be sure to seal the concrete according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Remove Stains Immediately
Although your concrete sealer will help protect your concrete, it’s still a good idea to clean stains and spills from concrete as soon as they happen. For example, if you notice that your car leaked oil on your concrete driveway, clean the oil from the driveway as soon as possible. This will help prevent any discoloration or staining from occurring, which will help your concrete look better.
Limit Your Weight
Concrete is a very strong and durable material, but residential concrete pours are not designed to hold extremely heavy materials. For example, while your driveway is perfectly capable of handling the weight of your everyday vehicle, it’s not equipped to handle heavy machinery or oversized vehicles like delivery trucks or moving trucks. Make sure these vehicles remain on the street and keep heavy machinery somewhere other than your driveway in order to maintain the life of your concrete.
Avoid the Wrong Chemicals
It’s very important that you refrain from using certain chemicals on your concrete. For example, certain deicers can actually work through the sealer and harm the concrete. Fertilizers can also stain your concrete, so be sure to remove any excess or spillage from your concrete right away. You should also be sure to use a cleaner specific to concrete, as some household products may do more harm than good. Make sure to thoroughly read instructions and disclaimers on products before using on concrete.
Appropriately maintaining your concrete can ensure you have a good-looking slab for an extended period of time. Ozinga offers a variety of concrete products to help maintain your slab. Take a look at our product offerings today.
