Who wants to worry about unsealed, chipped, cracked or crumbly concrete interfering with summer fun?! No-one, that's who.
For this project below, the customer wanted to re-seal and pressure wash their existing concrete pool deck and patio.
Many times when new or existing concrete cracks or needs a repair, our clients are discouraged because they aren't aware of the many options available. They usually assume the worst, and think that replacing the concrete is the best option. Concrete naturally shifts, moves and cracks with environmental changes and with age. Easily repaired, patched, or filled, these cracks are usually only cosmetic and not structural or unsafe (but every project is different).
How often should you seal your driveway?
- Everyone has something different to say about how often to seal your driveway. Some say every 3-5 years, whereas others say every year. The determining factor here should be what sort of weather or climate zone your concrete is exposed to. Environmental factors, rain, snow, freeze/thaw zones, or high sunshine areas should be taken into consideration. If your driveway is exposed to freeze/thaw zones and lots of sunshine or heat (like the weather here in the Okanagan) your driveway might require re-sealing and maintenance every other year. If you salt your driveway or notice your sealer is deteriorating, you might have to reseal yearly. If you ever notice cracks or chips, you should fix these problems immediately. If damaged concrete is left unrepaired, water can seep into the cracks this will quickly deteriorate the concrete.
- It is recommended you seal your brand new concrete after it is cured (28 days after it's poured). If you don't seal your concrete, water may seep into the surface pores of the concrete, which can eventually lead to surface or structural damage.
How can I tell if my concrete needs resealing?
- Water should bead up on the surface of the concrete if your sealer is doing its job. If this is not happening, it's time to reseal your concrete. High traffic areas or highly acidic areas (exposure to salt, chlorine, vehicles) will likely need resealing on a more frequent basis.
- Properly maintaining your concrete saves money in the long run. Make sure you have a protective barrier on your concrete to get the maximum longevity of your investment.
What can I do if my concrete is spalling or has a surface failure?
- Spalling and surface failures are most likely caused by 1) Freeze thaw damage & water penetrating the concrete surface and then expanding as it freezes or 2) poor finishing and the use of water on the surface to aid in the finishing process. Excess water and overfinishing create a weak surface that can't handle freeze-thaw expansion and contraction. You should always get a signed contract with a concrete installer with specific warranty language dealing with spalling and cracking. To fix the spalling, you may need to resurface the driveway with an overlay or replace the entire driveway.
- Sealers are a great way to protect concrete from spalling deterioration. A good-quality sealer designed for use on exterior concrete will help minimize water saturation and protect against salt damage. Even with a good sealer, the concrete itself remains the most important component in avoiding spalling.
- Spalling details obtained from the Concrete Network. http://www.concretenetwork.com/fix-spalled-concrete/spalled-concrete-new-driveway.html
Mode Concrete can help you refinish, repair or install lots of different indoor or outdoor concrete surfaces (we can even help with outdoor kitchens!). We have worked with many residential and commercial clients over the years. We can help talk you through all the options available to you depending on the state of the concrete. We can stain the concrete, disguise cracks and patch any deteriorated areas. There are so many options available, we can walk you through the entire process. We always stay within the original estimated price and on schedule (weather permitting... we live in the mountains afterall!).
