A concrete patio or a concrete parking lot looks good when it is clean and properly maintained. In order to make it appear flawless, you need to follow certain steps. Fortunately, maintaining concrete is not a difficult job. Let’s take a look at some steps that you need to follow in order to maintain your concrete structure:
1. Keep it Clean
Whether you have a concrete floor or patio, the first thing you need to do is to keep it clean. Cleaning concrete helps in keeping dirt and debris away. It also gives concrete an attractive look and makes it last longer. There are several ways in which concrete can be cleaned. For cleaning outdoor concrete, pressure washing proves beneficial. As far as indoor concrete is concerned, it can be cleaned with a scrub brush easily.
2. Seal the Concrete
If you want to protect concrete from damage and increase its lifespan, sealing is a useful option. There are different types of sealers available in the marketplace. A topical sealer adheres to the surface of the concrete and provides a protective layer on top of it. An integral sealer is mixed with the concrete compound and therefore saves time. A concrete sealer prevents damage and gives your concrete a fresh look.
3. Remove Stains Promptly
Concrete sealers are very effective when it comes to protecting the condition of the concrete. However, you need to keep an eye on stains that occur as a result of oil and liquid spills. Liquid spills can stain concrete floors, even though they are sealed. Stains can discolor your concrete floors. The moment you notice liquid spills on a concrete floor, clean it right away.
4. Less Weight
Concrete in itself is a sturdy material that can sustain itself for a longer period of time. If you have a concrete driveway, it can easily withstand the weight of moving or parked vehicles. However, heavy vehicles or heavy machinery can damage concrete. Make sure that you park heavy vehicles out on the street. If you have heavy machinery, try to store it somewhere else to preserve the quality of your concrete floor.
5. Be Careful When Using Chemicals
One thing that most people fail to understand is that exposure to different types of chemicals can damage the structural integrity of concrete floors. Certain chemicals can pierce through sealers and ruin the appearance and surface of floors. Similarly, excessive or long-term exposure to chemicals can reduce the lifespan of concrete floors, which proves to be costly in the long run. Make sure that you clean chemical spills the moment you notice them.
Regular maintenance can make concrete last longer and appear fresh for a long time. Make sure you check your concrete floors, patio, etc. for damage and debris, saving you a lot of hassle in the long run.
If you are interested in learning more about maintaining your concrete in Troy, MI, give our staff at Flat Rock Concrete Construction, Inc. a call today! Our office numbers are (248) 379-0250 or (586) 726-6091 and we hope to hear from you soon!