Where Should I Start Making Concrete Improvements on My Property?

Concrete is a common material used in homes across the United States. From the foundation to porches, patios, and sidewalks, the material works well in a variety of ways. Concrete is durable, providing a quality material that can last a lifetime when poured and installed properly. While concrete is a great choice for areas of the home, it does require maintenance from time to time. Learning more about how to care for concrete can ensure that you do not have issues in the future. Find out more about steps you can take to improve the lifespan of your concrete.

Sealing

For concrete to be able to withstand the elements, sealing is essential. With waterproofing sealers, the concrete can avoid damage and not be susceptible to cracking, breaking, buckling or other issues. Take your foundation for example. The exterior and interior should be sealed on a regular basis, once every few years, to ensure the surface is not affected by water. This is essential when your foundation is part of a basement area. Basement walls and concrete floors should be sealed to protect from water damage, which helps with potential mold and mildew growth.

Patios and porches can also be sealed to protect from the elements. If you cannot remember the last time you sealed such areas of your home, now is the time to get started!

Cleaning

Concrete needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to ensure staining does not occur as well as other issues. With concrete, the best way to clean up is with a power washer. Debris, as well as ground-in dirt and grime, will be removed when a power washer is utilized.

Let’s take a patio for example. When debris like leaves and sticks are present, they should be removed. Use a push broom to remove the debris and then look at the concrete. If dirt is present, use a power washer on a low setting to clean it. For deeper dirt and grime, you may have to use a higher setting. With regular cleaning, you avoid stains on your concrete as well as issues with mold or mildew from grass, leaves and other debris.

Winter Care

During the winter months, concrete requires more care. Snow and ice can affect concrete in a negative manner. For many homeowners, when snow or ice is present on a concrete driveway, solvents are used that have salt for melting. While this does work, it can severely damage your concrete. Avoid using de-icing materials near your concrete sidewalks, patios, porches, and driveways. This will ensure you do not have damage like pitting or stains. Natural methods can be used to remove ice and snow, as well as using shovels to clear a path.

These are just a few tips to help you maintain concrete areas of your home. Take time to seal, clean and care for your concrete to ensure that no issues will arise in the future. Concrete can last for many years when maintained correctly.