Concrete is a resilient and strong material, but that doesn’t mean it can be left alone and maintain its appearance and sturdiness. There are certain steps you need to take to ensure your concrete surfaces and structures stay in pristine condition. For your concrete to keep its integrity, here are some maintenance tips you should keep in mind.

How to Maintain Concrete

1. Prevent Cracks

Having concrete sealed each year will help it stay crack-free, but there are other issues that can cause breakage as well. Plant roots can press through and crack it. If there are trees or bushes near the concrete surface, they should either be removed or have their roots cut back.

2. Reduce the Effects of Water

Pooling water can eventually penetrate concrete surfaces and cause serious, costly issues. To prevent this from happening, clear a strip on both sides of the surface to give snow and water room to drain. Similarly, downspouts should always be directed to the ground itself and not a concrete surface.

3. Don’t Use Chemical De-Icers

Using salt and other chemical de-icers on concrete can cause cracks. Instead, use a shovel or snow blower to remove snow accumulate and de-icing alternative such as sand or kitty litter to reduce the slipperiness of the ice.

4. Protect Edges

While the majority of a concrete driveway is strong enough to handle heavy machinery and other vehicles, the edges are more susceptible to cracking under pressure. Cars should be parked away from the edges, and construction vehicles should never park directly on the concrete to avoid breakage.

5. Fill Cracks Immediately

The longer a crack stays open, the more damage it can do to the concrete surface. To prevent existing cracks from taking a toll, they should be filled as soon as possible with fill and patching compounds. This will also help reduce injuries from dangerous falls and trips.

 

Spallina Materials provides top-quality aggregate products to five counties in the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes, and Rochester areas of New York. The company takes pride in not only offering exceptional materials like crushed stone and hot mix asphalt, but also exceptional customer service from its highly experienced staff. For more information, call (585) 658-2248 or visit the website today.