Stamped Concrete Maintenance, Repair and Sealing - blog by concrete experts MODE CONCRETE, in Kelowna BC

This is the time of year to go outside and check how your concrete is looking before the freeze/thaw temperatures get too extreme.  We specialize in concrete staining, stamped concrete, exposed aggregate concrete, cement driveways, patios, sidewalks, swimming pool decks.

Here is stamped concrete, that we resealed for this client.  Check out those views?!?!  

This is why all the local's love to call the Okanagan 'home.'

Here is some stamped concrete, that we resealed and maintained for our Kelowna client.  

This is the perfect time to maintain your concrete... before winter sets in.

Exterior Concrete Repair and Maintenance Tips

• To extend the life of concrete, you’ll want to keep it well-maintained. After your concrete is poured and cured, applying concrete sealer to the surface is the final step (sealing usually done 1 or 2 months after pouring). Concrete sealer cost is not cheap but this final stage will vastly improve the durability of the driveway. Expect to pay $0.50 to $0.85 per square foot for one application or coating of sealer (which usually includes the cost of pressure washing the surface).  Anti slip additives or repairing chips and cracks can increase this cost a little. 
• Sealers will keep your concrete protected from moisture by creating a barrier between the environment and the concrete. Without a protective sealer, moisture will penetrate the cracks and freeze in very cold weather, which will eventually deteriorate the concrete and increase the size of any cracks or chips.
• Not all concrete sealers are alike (even those in the same product category), and no sealer will last forever. Depending on the type of products used and exposure conditions, a sealer should last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. 
• If you have a sealer buildup on the surface from multiple sealer applications over the years, stripping the sealers may be required periodically.  We would recommend stripping your concrete if your sealer is flaking in spots, holes are developing, you have a cloudy appearance throughout the sealer, there are dull spots, blistering or bubbles.  The best way to assess any of these symptoms, is to call a concrete sealing professional in your area to come check out the situation in person. Stripping sealers is a messy process and can either be done chemically or mechanically.  
• Be careful with ice-melting salts as this may create a chemical reaction and eat away at your sealers and stains.  Read the labels of any products you use, or reapply sealers every year if you are using melting salts regularly.  
• Concrete naturally shifts, moves and cracks with environmental changes, the temperature and with age. Easily repaired, patched, or filled, these cracks are usually only cosmetic and not structural or unsafe (but every project is different). An experienced concrete contractor should easily be able to assess your project, give you options, show you samples and work with you to achieve the results you desire.  A concrete professional can help talk you through all the options available to you depending on the state of the concrete and your budget.

When you hire Mode Concrete, you hire a professional contractor that always stays on budget and on schedule! From the moment you hire Mode Concrete, you'll notice why our clients give us amazing referrals and recommendations.  

MODE CONCRETE specializes in high quality concrete design, fabrication, finishing, repair, maintenance and luxury outdoor living spaces. Contact us today for a free design consultation and written estimate (for Kelowna area clients)!

• References:
• Concrete Driveways: Poring Over the Pros and Cons - Houzzhttp://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2459366/list/Concrete-Driveways--Poring-Over-the-Pros-and-Cons
• 2012 Concrete Driveway Cost Guide for Repair or Replacement - Driveway Guidehttp://www.drivewayguide.com/guides/cost-of-concrete-driveway-repairs-and-replacement/
• Pros and Cons of a Concrete Driveway - About.com http://garages.about.com/od/buildingagarage/a/Pros-And-Cons-Of-A-Concrete-Driveway.html

Concrete Patios, Stairs, Slabs, Driveways and Pool Decks - Concrete Refinishing, Repair and Installation Specialists

The awesome review we got from this client;

We would like to thank Gareth for the work that he did for us - we appreciated his professionalism and creativity as well as his quick response to our initial request for advice on our project. He was reliable and very attentive to all the details for our project. We would not hesitate to contact Gareth for any future projects.

Frances and Shuan

Mode Concrete can help you refinish, repair or install lots of different indoor or outdoor concrete surfaces. We have worked with many residential, commercial and industrial clients over the years. Whether you want to install a new surface or improve the look of your existing concrete... the experts at Mode Concrete can give you all the options available. Every project is different, but an experienced concrete contractor should easily be able to assess your project, give you options, show you samples and work with you to achieve the results you desire within your budget and estimated price.  

Mode Concrete helped to create this backyard concrete patio and stairs for a client in the Okanagan.

We created this removable concrete access tile, that is hidden and totally customized for this concrete surface.

We have been trusted by many people in the Okanagan for their custom concrete needs over the years.  We only use high quality products and whether you have a concrete repair, or you want your aged concrete refinished and rejuvenated, MODE CONCRETE provides only the highest level of service to our customers.