Concrete Maintenance

Concrete maintenance is essential to keep your concrete looking its best. Here are some things you should do:

• Use sand on icy concrete - DO NOT use de-icing chemicals containing chloride compounds including calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride (salt), and potassium chloride. Never use de-icing chemicals that contain either ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate. It is especially important to not use these salts the first winter after a concrete pour, but in subsequent winters, use only if the concrete is protected with a sealer, and even then, use de-icers sparingly.



Salt ate away the top layer of this newly placed concrete
• Keep concrete free of ice and snow.
• Don't allow fertilizer to remain on concrete surfaces as ammonium nitrate is found in many fertilizers (rinse off).
• Avoid using acids to clean concrete. Use water and a light detergent. There are different commercial products available for specific stains.
• Wash driveways and other concrete surfaces whenever the weather allows to remove salts that drip off of vehicles.
• For most projects, a sealer should be applied after it is finished to help protect against staining, scaling or peeling.

  This needs to be repeated approximately every 2-5 years, depending upon wear. You will know this is needed when the concrete’s sheen disappears and the surface no longer repels water.

• Protect your concrete while it cures from animals, people, objects and vehicles. You can walk on it after 24 hours. Driveways and aprons cannot be driven on for at least 7 days as this is the minimum time concrete cures for. Click curing concrete to find out more about how to guide the curing process in temperatures above 85 degrees or below 50.
• After your concrete is cured and sealed, it is a good idea to use a concrete joint sealant to caulk the control joints that were made. This will prevent water, dirt and ants from entering the cracks and eventually causing erosion.

Would you like your concrete sealed or caulked?

If so, and you live in the Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs area, request a quote on your project.

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