Concrete is forgiving. It is also surrounded by people who never wash it. The maintenance list is short, and it prevents the most common damage we get called out for.
Clean it
Rinse with a garden hose and a regular dish liquid about every couple of. A soft broom or a stiff brush is enough. Avoid the caustic stuff sold for muriatic work unless you know what you are doing.
Weed it
Dirt collecting on the surface is what causes actual trouble: dirt traps moisture, moisture feeds mildew, and mildew is a problem in shaded areas.
The one item
- Seal it. A good sealer every few years keeps staining out and deepens the look of the surface.
- Do not seal it wet. Learn to test the absorption.
- Patch cracks early. Hairline cracks rarely need attention. Structural cracks do.
Cracks vs settling
Hairline cracks are normal and controlled by the expansion joints. If the slab hovers, or if a crack looks like a step in the surface, it is a base problem and it should be evaluated.
A five-minute garden hose routine beats any repair bill.
Repairs and sealing are available for every surface we pour. Call us before a small crack becomes a large repair.
