 | Justin Crain is VP / Treasurer of American Concrete Co., Inc., which is owned by his parents, Dennis and Jane Crain. American Concrete is celebrating its forty-first anniversary and Justin is the third generation to be involved with the family company. American Concrete was awarded the 2011 Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the year award. Justin is currently the President of the Kansas Ready Mix Concrete Association and is currently on the board of directors for the Mount Carmel Foundation as well as the Pittsburg Public Library Foundation. Please visit our website, www.americanconcreteco.net, or call 620.231.1520. |
Concrete
2012-06-01 11:21:06
Concrete maintenance
Q: We just had a concrete patio put in and the contractor said to be sure to maintain it. I kind of let that breeze by as I thought concrete was fairly maintenance-free. Now, as I think of it, I am wondering what I should do to keep it in good shape. What do you recommend?
A: Of course one of the outstanding attributes of concrete is that it needs very little work to keep it in great condition. However, no material is ever completely maintenance-free. Remember, homeowner warranties covering exterior concrete are extremely rare. Proper care and maintenance is your responsibility.
If you want to keep your patio in good condition and extend the life of your investment, here are some important tips:
• New concrete must be given at least seven (7) days of curing time (at temperatures above 32 degrees) before vehicular traffic is allowed on it. Concrete takes 28 days of curing time to achieve its maximum strength.
• Concrete surfaces must be kept as clean as possible. Remove snow
and ice as soon as possible. Use sand for traction instead of salt.
• Keep lawn fertilizers cleaned off of concrete surfaces.
• Apply a quality sealer annually or according to the manufacturer’s
directions. Sealer is easy to apply and the most important step to caring for your concrete.
• Remove stains immediately. A sealer can protect from stain absorption, but it is still best to remove spills as soon as possible to avoid discoloration.
• Annual maintenance is important! As you care for your lawn, trees,
shrubbery, and your house, please take the time to care for your
concrete pavements. It is a SMALL INVESTMENT for such a GREAT
RETURN!
Your concrete surface is like your wood deck or the siding on your
house, in that they all must be protected from the environment to reach
their expected service life.
