Preserving Your New Concrete

Curb appeal, safety, and property value are a few good reasons to tear out and replace old concrete or to add new concrete construction. Stamping and staining are creative techniques to provide design and color options for floors, driveways, patios, and sidewalks. Whatever you choose and for whatever reason you choose it, a few tips will help you enjoy your concrete.

How to Enjoy and Maintain your Concrete:

1. Make sure the installers meet city building codes for strength, slump, and slope and American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance specifications for applicable concrete installation. The amount and size of rebar, dimensions for approaches, preparation of ground, and forming--all these details lead to successful placement of your concrete.
2. Indentations or saw-cuts are necessary every few feet to control cracking as the concrete cures. Expansion joints can help, too.
3. Let concrete cure for two days before walking on it and five days before parking or driving on it. Movement and weight can disturb and scar the concrete before it can settle and strengthen.
4. If cement (the powdered additive) or wet concrete (cement added to aggregate, sand, and water) get on your skin, wash well with soap and water. Also, vinegar can neutalize a burning sensation.
5. Rinse wet concrete off of areas such as shoes, clothing, tools, toys, or other items to avoid encrusted and ruined things.
6. Typically, the drier the concrete mix, the stronger the concrete construction. So, wind, rain, humidity, and temperatures can affect the drying and curing time. Sometimes, chemicals can be added to compensate for the conditions, and sometimes tarps should be used to protect the new concrete. Professionals know when to install concrete and when to wait.
7. Avoid getting fertilizer or ice-melt mixes on the concrete surface. These chemicals will cause the surface to spall (meaning, the top surface pops off!).