5 Essential Concrete Maintenance Tips for Kettering Homeowners

Regular Cleaning: The Foundation of Concrete Care

Regular cleaning is an essential part of taking good care of your concrete surfaces.

Clean your concrete surfaces regularly:

• Sweep regularly to get rid of dirt and debris.
• Wash with a garden hose to wash off dust and minor stains.
• For tougher dirt, use a pressure washer set to low.
• Use a gentle cleaner and soft-bristled brush on stamped or decorative concrete, so as not to damage the design of the stamped or decorative concrete.

Tip: Clean your concrete at least once a year, and often more frequently if it is used for heavy traffic, such as driveways.

Protect Your Concrete with Sealant

Sealants protect your concrete from Kettering’s extreme weather conditions:

• Apply a sealant to your concrete at least every two to three years, or as specified by the manufacturer.
• Pick the right sealant for the type of concrete that you have (for example, penetrating sealants for driveways, and acrylic sealants for stamped concrete).
• Clean your concrete thoroughly before applying a sealant.

Important to remember: As your concrete will be exposed to sunlight in Kettering’s climate, consider using UV-resistant sealants to help protect against the effects of sunlight on your concrete.

Take Action on Small Cracks

Do not wait for small cracks to grow into large cracks:

• For hairline cracks, apply a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk.
• If the cracks are slightly larger, apply a concrete patching compound.
• Regardless of which product you use, make sure you clean the crack thoroughly and follow all product directions.

Warning: If your cracks are wider than 1/4 inch or appear to be shifting, contact Kettering Concrete Solutions to have a professional assess your situation.

Protect Your Concrete in Winter

Although Kettering’s winter months are usually relatively mild, cold snaps do occasionally happen:

• Avoid using chemical-based de-icers on your concrete.
• Instead, use sand for traction where necessary.
• Remove snow or ice as soon as possible to prevent moisture absorption by the concrete and subsequent cracking.

Preventing Stains

Act immediately when spills occur to prevent stains:

• To remove oil stains, spread cat litter or sawdust to soak up the spill.
• When removing organic stains (such as leaves or berries), mix water with white vinegar.
• When removing rust stains, attempt to use a commercially available rust stain remover specifically for concrete.

Always test a cleaning solution on a small, non-visible area of the concrete before attempting to clean the actual area.

Additional Tips – Be Proactive!

An ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure:

• Use entranceway mats to prevent dirt from being carried onto the concrete.
• Position drip pans underneath vehicles to catch oil leaks.
• Use furniture pads on the bottoms of outdoor patio furniture to prevent scratching the concrete.
• Prune nearby tree branches and shrubs to minimize leaf and organic matter falling onto your concrete surfaces.

Follow these basic maintenance tips to ensure your concrete surfaces remain visually appealing for many years to come. Not only does regular care enhance the aesthetic appeal of your concrete surfaces, but it also provides longevity, ultimately resulting in cost savings over time.

As mentioned above, although these DIY tips are helpful for daily maintenance, Kettering Concrete Solutions is here for your bigger concrete needs. Whether you need a new concrete installation, a major repair, or simply want some expert advice, we encourage you to contact us today.

Would you like to ask a question regarding the proper care for your specific type of concrete surface? Contact us today to receive tailored guidance for keeping your concrete looking its best in the unique climate of Kettering.