Nothing’s Broken, but I Can Do Better: Where Should I Focus on Concrete Home Improvements?
When it comes to owning a home, you want to do all that you can to ensure your property maintains value and is comfortable for your family. To do this, you must take time to properly maintain your home. In many homes, concrete is a common material used for the construction of such areas as driveways, sidewalks, even porches. Over time, concrete can require cleaning or repairs to maintain its integrity. Even though you may not have any broken concrete, it is important to maintain these areas. Below are a few examples of where you can start making improvements and what you can do regarding a to-do list.
Exterior Inspection
Every spring, it is a good idea for homeowners to inspect the exterior of the property. Create a checklist of areas you need to review that are created from concrete. This can include the foundation, sidewalks, basement walls, patios, porches, driveway, etc. Take time to review each of these areas and mark on your list what needs to be done. Even if you do not have any broken concrete, you may still need to clean the area with a pressure washer to remove any stuck-on dirt and grime.
Once you have your list, you can then consider the order of importance. You want to start with repair work first and then move on to any cleaning needs you may have.
Repair Issues
Common repair needs that can happen with concrete outside is cracking. Over time, the concrete can begin to crack, and it does not have a smooth appearance. If you leave the crack alone, it can get bigger and lead to even larger problems like buckling or broken concrete.
Once you spot a problem, it’s time to fix it. You can get a crack filler and use it to add material into the line so that it smooths out the area. This can take just a few minutes, but repair the overall look and ensure that larger issues do not take place in the future.
Cleaning
Over time, concrete can gather dirt and grime and only a power washing will remove it. When you notice staining or simply dirt gathered on your concrete, such as driveways and sidewalks, it’s time to clean. Start by using a broom to remove any loose dirt particles. Once you have the loose dirt and leaves gone, it’s time to begin the deep clean. A power washer will pick up the ground-in dirt and provide a clean surface.
This process can actually be fun once you begin to see the dirt lifted from the concrete. Pick a day during the weekend with warm weather to power wash as you will get wet during the cleaning process.
While you may be lucky enough to have concrete that is not broken, it still needs to be cared for. Take time to clean and repair your concrete as needed and you will find that your home maintains its value and looks its very best year-round.
