3 Tips For Enhancing The Look & Life Of Your Concrete

The long-lasting durability of concrete makes it a great surface option for a variety of purposes: community walkways, residential patios, driveways, and more. Concrete provides a strong, even foundation that can be enjoyed for years. However, like any other manufactured material, concrete will begin to wear and tear over time - especially if it is left untreated amid the elements.

In order to help your concrete surfaces last longer and continue to hold up regardless of use, maintaining a consistent cleaning and maintenance routine can help. In fact, some of the best ways to ensure a long concrete lifecycle can be quick and easy. Here are three tips for helping you keep your concrete surfaces strong.

Three Tips For Breathing Fresh Life Into Your Concrete Surfaces

1. Consistently Clean Your Surfaces

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your concrete surfaces maintain a great look and last longer is by keeping a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule. While it may seem like overkill to consistently clean your concrete, ensuring that you brush away debris and wash the surfaces will help prevent wear and tear. 

While concrete is manufactured to be durable, harmful chemicals and debris such as acid, salt, alkali, and standing water can cause the concrete surface to chip, wear down, and even crack over time.  

Wondering how to clean your concrete effectively? While spraying down the surface with water can be effective, there are a variety of concrete cleaning solutions available on the market that can ensure a safer and protective clean. Spray away loose debris with a brush and water, then clean the surface with an approved cleaner. Let the concrete sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse clean with water. This treatment routine will ensure that your concrete continues to work hard for your home or commercial property.

2. Reseal On A Regular Basis

Not only should you consistently clean your concrete with water and cleaning solutions, but it is vital to reseal the concrete as necessary. As chips and cracks begin to appear in your concrete, it is important to quickly address these issues with approved sealant. If left for too long, water will continue to seep into the cracks, furthering the damage to the concrete below the surface. 

Most sealant solutions recommend a reapplication to surfaces every six to twelve months to ensure maximum effectiveness. Depending on your concrete surface, and how much traffic and wear the concrete experiences, a faster reapplication routine may be necessary. A professional concrete company can be a great resource for helping you analyze your surface and develop an effective treatment plan for your surface.

3. Work With An Expert Concrete Team

To ensure that your concrete remains strong and looks great for longer, the best course of action may be to work directly with a concrete installation company. A team of experts can help you better understand your concrete surface’s unique needs, and help you account for your region, weather conditions, and other common issues that can damage concrete faster.

Not only can a concrete company help you learn the best methods of care for your surfaces, but they can also develop personalized plans to clean and care for your concrete on a regular basis. When you work with a team to consistently treat your concrete, you can “set it and forget it” - leaving the work in the hands of qualified professionals. If you are ready to get started breathing fresh life into your concrete surfaces, contact your local concrete company today!