If you’re in love with your new concrete patio–be it a custom layout or stamped design–then you’ll want to preserve that appearance for as long as possible. After all, it was a serious investment installed by professional concrete contractors. Twenty-five years of pouring concrete in Utah’s greater Wasatch Front and beyond has taught us a thing or two about extending the life of a patio. So here are our top 4 tips for you:
Dirt has an abrasive effect–whether you’re tracking it on your shoes or dragging it under patio furniture and planters. That gritty scratching and scraping will disrupt the surface of your concrete, opening it up to deeper damage later on.
Keep your concrete patio clean by sweeping it of yard debris and dirt every week. Then use mild soapy water or a low-power pressure wash to break down grime at the top layer.
The seasons can get extreme here in Utah, including winter with its freezing temperatures. That said, you don’t want to use liquid de-icer or rock salt to clear ice from your patio. Harsh chemicals like that will literally corrode your concrete, leaving it pockmarked and in need of repair.
Instead, apply plain sand to the icy area for traction. Once winter melts away, you can always sweep and rinse the sand off your patio again.
Surface damage can be prevented by applying a high-quality concrete sealer after your patio has fully cured. Then reapply the sealer every 2-3 years to maintain that protective coating. Much like sunscreen or wood finish, this layer will block out damaging UV rays, as well as moisture and stains that can damage the concrete’s finish.
Cracks in concrete form the path of least resistance, making them the ideal place for water to settle. Once that water freezes inside, the ice shoves the crack open, splitting your beautiful concrete slab even wider.
Avoid all of this by immediately filling minor cracks with liquid concrete filler. This works as a temporary seal, repelling water and preventing it from settling in your slab. Then give us a call to have the slab completely repaired and looking like new.
As a family owned business, we care deeply about the lifetime of your project and the value you receive from having a beautifully poured patio. Give RK Concrete a call as soon as you need help sealing or restoring your patio, and you can continue enjoying it for years to come.
