How To Maintain Your Outdoor Concrete

Outdoor concrete does not require a lot of maintenance. However, it still requires routine care. There are several things that you will need to do in order to maintain your outdoor concrete.

Clean the Concrete Regularly

The amount of traffic the concrete gets and the pollutants in the air will determine how often you need to clean your concrete. You can hire a professional to clean your concrete. Additionally, you can use a pressure washer to clean your concrete. This is something that you will probably have to do once every few months.

Remove Stains Immediately

If gasoline, grease or anything else on your concrete, then you will need to clean it as soon as possible. Concrete can easily absorb stains. Fortunately, if a concrete does discolor, then you can easily remove the stains by pressure washing the concrete.

Reseal Your Concrete When Necessary

Sealing your concrete is one of the best things that you can do in order to protect it. However, the best sealers will wear out over time. Most concrete will need to be resealed every three to five years. If your concrete receives a lot of traffic, then it will likely need to be re-sealed more often.

There are many ways that you can benefit from having your concrete sealed. Your concrete will be able to repel water if it is sealed. It will also be protected from ultraviolet light. Additionally, sealing the concrete will help reduce the effects of weathering.

Do not use De-icers

Using de-icers on your concrete can cause damage to it. The worst types of de-icers to use are ammonium sulphates and ammonium nitrates because they can cause the concrete to corrode. If you still want to use de-icers, then it is best to use calcium chloride or rock salt. They will do less damage than other types of de-icers.

Repair Small Cracks

Small cracks can occur when the ground shifts. They may not seem like a major problem, which is why many people ignore them. However, a number of problems can result if small cracks are not repaired. Melting and freezing cycles can cause these cracks to enlarge. You will likely need a concrete restoration service within the next few years if you do not get small cracks repaired. You can find concrete patching products at most home stores. You can also hire a professional to repair the cracks in your concrete.