1. Clear the surface area
- Clear the surface area
When you’re working with concrete, make sure to clear the area of anything that might get in your way. This can include furniture, tools and even plants. Keep in mind that you will need enough room to work on any concrete project.
2. Seal the concrete properly
You should be sealing your concrete every 2-3 years. Sealing your concrete prevents water from seeping into the concrete and freezing which can cause it to crack. Sealants are available at most hardware stores and can be applied using a brush or a roller.
3. Clean oil, paint and other spots as soon as they happen
If you have concrete, you’re bound to encounter the occasional spot. Oil, paint, and other stains can damage your surface. But if you clean them up right away, and use a cleaning solution strong enough to break up the stain (for example, a degreaser for oil or a paint remover for paint), they won’t do much harm. With some products (like rust removers), it’s best to do a test on an inconspicuous area first to make sure they don’t damage your concrete.
Just know that some spots may be impossible to remove without expert help. If you find yourself out of your league, call in a professional.
4. Avoid using de-icing salts
The fourth step to making your concrete last longer is avoiding using de-icing salts. De-icing salts are commonly used to break down ice on roads and sidewalks in colder weather, but they can cause damage to concrete. They can contribute to spalling, a process where the surface of the concrete deteriorates and peels away. De-icing salts can also make your driveway look terrible by leaving behind discoloration. Instead of de-icing salts, use sand which will give you traction when walking over snow or ice and won’t harm your driveway. You should also remove as much of the snow from your driveway before it turns into heavy slush with a shovel so that there’s no need for anything else to melt it.
5. Use a plastic shovel in winter so you don’t flake off the sealant
If you have a shovel, it’s probably made of metal. While this is great for clearing snow in the winter, the best way to avoid chipping off your sealant is by using a plastic one. Plastic shovels are not only cheap and easy to find but they can really go a long way in preserving your driveway.
Before you get too excited though, it’s important that you find the right plastic shovel. If you choose one that’s too delicate, then there might be some damage done when you are trying to clear away snow or ice. It’s best to spend more money on a high-quality shovel if you know that your winters are usually quite treacherous. The extra investment will definitely pay off in the long run.
6. Sweeping your driveway will get rid of harmful debris and keep it from damaging your driveway’s surface.
- Sweeping Your Driveway
Sweeping your driveway is an excellent idea because it both prevents dust, dirt and other debris from building up and also keeps them from damaging your driveway’s surface. You will need a broom and a dustpan. The sweeping process will take about 30 minutes for the average homeowner to do their own driveway once a month.
Concrete can last for decades if you take care of it properly.
Concrete is a wonderful building material for sidewalks, driveways, and patios—and believe it or not, it can last for decades if you take care of it properly.
Concrete is able to withstand heavy loads, so it’s the ideal material for large vehicles and foot traffic. Concrete is also porous, which means that stains are quickly absorbed into its surface. But luckily most concrete surfaces can be repaired and maintained through cleaning and resealing.
Repairing cracks in concrete may seem intimidating but it really just takes a little elbow grease and some patience. Your local home improvement store will have everything you need to make your sidewalk look brand new again!
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty (literally), there are plenty of DIY repair options at your disposal! You can also hire someone to do the work for you if you prefer to sit back and watch them do the heavy lifting.Sure, you could be out there getting in your summertime fun. Or you could be in there, fixing up your concrete.
If you fall into the latter category, we’ve got the perfect blog post for you. Check out these six easy ways to make your concrete last longer with little to no effort on your part!
1. Clean it up
Concrete is a porous material. Part of making it last is keeping it clean of any dirt or oil that can seep deep into its pores and cause deterioration (damage).
2. Seal it up
Using a concrete sealer might sound like a lot of work, but it’s actually quite easy! You can find a sealer at most hardware stores, and they come in water-based or solvent-based varieties. Simply apply the sealer and let it dry—that’s all there is to it!
3. Fill cracks right away
Don’t let those pesky little hairline cracks get deeper! Use an inexpensive crack filler to patch them up as soon as possible and save yourself money by avoiding costly repairs down the road.
4. Protect from the weather
Concrete is susceptible to damage from freeze/thaw cycles and other types of weathering over time—but there are prevent
It’s always disappointing to have a beautiful, new concrete floor or patio that starts to crack or look weathered after only a few years. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to make your concrete last longer!
Here are 6 easy ways to make your concrete last longer.
1. Cure Your Concrete Properly
2. Remove Snow Immediately
3. Drain Puddles
4. Use Sealers
5. Apply De-Icing Chemicals Properly
6. Don’t Let Your Concrete Freeze
1. Cure Your Concrete Properly
2. Remove Snow Immediately
3. Drain Puddles
4. Use Sealers
5. Apply De-Icing Chemicals Properly
6. Don’t Let Your Concrete Freeze
1. Protecting Your Concrete From UV Rays:
Concrete is a robust building material, but it’s not invincible. Constant exposure to the sun will weaken and discolor your concrete. If you live in a sunny area, consider painting your concrete with a sealant that protects against UV rays!
2. Pressure Washing:
Pressure washing can be one of the easiest ways to make your concrete last longer! It removes dirt and grime from deep within the surface of your concrete, as well as removing any algae or moss that might be growing on it. Best of all, pressure washing is usually fairly low-cost compared to other methods for making concrete last longer.
3. Pest Control:
Like humans, insects need food and water—and your concrete provides both! Insects like termites can eat away at the structural components under your concrete slab and cause major damage. Termites aren’t the only problem—ants, roaches, and spiders also like living in damp environments (like those underneath your home’s foundation), so keep an eye out for them too! Be sure to call an exterminator if you suspect you have a pest problem!
4. Avoiding Salt:
Road salt can be very damaging to concrete surfaces when
Maintaining your concrete driveway is critical to extending its life. If you can keep it in good condition, it can last for years. However, if you let it go and don’t take care of it, you may need to replace it well before its time.
So how do you take care of your concrete? The first step is to figure out what exactly makes concrete deteriorate. If you can understand the elements that cause wear and tear, you’ll be able to prevent them from affecting your driveway.
According to the Portland Cement Association, the major culprits are water and sunlight. They cause the concrete to expand and contract over time, which weakens it. You can also damage the surface by walking on wet cement or driving on it when there’s a layer of frost on top.
The best way to combat these problems is by taking care of your concrete regularly. Here are six easy ways to make sure your driveway stays in tip-top shape:
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to replace a concrete patio, driveway, or walkway before you were ready. Luckily, there are lots of ways to make sure your concrete lasts as long as possible.
Here are six easy tips to keep your concrete in tip-top shape for years to come.
1. Avoid using deicing salts and chemicals on your concrete. When these products come into contact with concrete, they eat away at it, causing it to weaken over time. If you’re really worried about the safety of your property over the winter months, consider using sand instead of deicing products.
2. Make sure water is draining properly away from your concrete. This will help keep it safe from flooding and ice damage during the winter months.
3. Clean up any spills or stains ASAP! Don’t let substances sit on the surface of your concrete—especially if they’re acidic (like wine or soda). Wipe up whatever may ruin the surface of your concrete as quickly as possible.
4. Keep an eye out for cracks and have them patched up quickly! Catching small cracks early can prevent damage from spreading and requiring you to replace large sections of your patio or driveway later on down the road.
5. Seal your concrete every few years
Ah, concrete: it’s durable, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. Well, maybe not ALL the time. Concrete is great, but it’s not totally maintenance-free. If you want your concrete to last a lifetime, there are a few things you can do to make sure it does.
1. Don’t let your concrete freeze or thaw too often.
2. Avoid frost heaves by keeping a proper soil moisture level.
3. Use water-repellent sealers to protect your concrete from water damage.
4. Clean your concrete regularly with a power washer or a hose and mild detergent (if necessary).
5. Avoid using deicing salts around your concrete; they can cause corrosion and deterioration over time!
6. Hire professionals when you need them—we’re not all DIY gods!
Concrete is a reliable and cheap building material that has been around for thousands of years. It’s so popular because it can be poured into almost any shape, and it has the added benefit of being able to set anywhere on Earth. But even though concrete is stable, strong, and sturdy enough to withstand the ravages of time, it does eventually succumb to erosion, decay, and aging.
But don’t worry! You can extend the life of your concrete by following these simple steps:
1. Keep water away from your concrete. Make sure your concrete is properly sealed so that no water can seep in and freeze during the winter months. Ice expands as it freezes, which could result in cracks that make your concrete less durable over time.
2. Get rid of any dirt or grime immediately. Concrete is porous, which means that dirt and grime can easily accumulate inside of it if you’re not careful. Make sure you clean up messes right away to prevent this from happening!
3. Make sure your concrete isn’t exposed to chemicals like oil or grease on a regular basis—these substances will weaken its structure over time!
4. Sealants should be applied only once every few years because they tend to break down after repeated applications