After a summer full of socializing and backyard cookouts, concrete needs maintenance once fall arrives. Fortunately, preparing pavement and concrete for colder weather is easy when you have the right guide to follow. To help you keep your concrete intact, here are a few fall maintenance tasks that will keep your hardscape looking fresh all year.

5 Fall Maintenance Tips for Concrete

1. Clean Thoroughly

Leaves, twigs, invasive weeds, and other seasonal debris don’t only look unappealing—they also provide a welcome home for pests and tripping hazards

Sweep up all landscaping debris and scrub the surface with a mild cleanser—such as dish soap—to get rid of these contaminants. Scrub with natural and plastic brushes only, as those with metal wires will damage the concrete. If a simple scrub-and-rinse isn’t enough, use a pressure washer to blast away stuck-on buildup.

2. Remove Stains

After you’ve initially rinsed down the surface, you may find that your concrete has rust, grease, and mildew stains. To prevent permanent discoloration, you should clean rust stains first with a cleanser that contains oxalic acid. Next, remove grease stains using a cleaner containing a degreasing agent. To remove mildew, mop the area with a chlorine-bleach water remover.

3. Secure the Joints  

During the fall and winter, moisture and temperature changes can cause joints in the patio to shift. If you have a bricked or tiled concrete, check for loose fittings and fill them with sand. You should also repair cracks that may have developed over the summer.  

4. Seal the Surface

If it’s been over a year since you’ve last sealed the concrete, you should do so now. In the fall and winter, sealant will help keep water from penetrating the surface and freezing. Without proper protection, the water’s expansion could cause the concrete to crack and scale.

5. Prepare for Snow Removal

While it might not be snowing yet, you should prepare. Make sure you have a rubber-edged shovel, so you don’t scratch the pavement and/or concrete during snow removal. You should also stock up on sand to help cover slippery ice patches, as salt is caustic.

Once winter weather arrives, clear snow and ice from the concrete as soon as possible. If left for too long, the moisture will penetrate the surface and cause substantial damage.

If your concrete needs more than a general cleaning this fall, Prefer Paving & Ready Mix has you covered. Based in Rush City, MN, this contractor will deliver high-quality ready-mix concrete to your location so you can enjoy stress-free patio repairs. They also offer sealing products to help protect your surface from Minnesota’s harsh winter weather. To learn more about their products and services, visit this Chisago County paving company online or call (651) 464-6883.