SEALING, PRESSURE WASHING, YEARLY MAINTENANCE - CONCRETE POOL DECK AND DRIVEWAY RECOMMENDATIONS - ARTICLE BY MODE CONCRETE, ESTABLISHED SPECIALISTS IN KELOWNA BC

Now is the perfect time of year to look at your exterior concrete, to see if it needs protection before our extremely hot Okanagan summers kick in.  

 Exposed aggregate / Stamped concrete, that MODE CONCRETE pressure washed and applied a protective exterior topcoat sealer.  This protects the longevity of the concrete and provides environmental protection.  This a recent project we did near Okanagan Lake for our lovely clients.

Wondering how often to 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.

How much does concrete maintenace cost?  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 $0.75 to $1.50 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.

When you contact Mode Concrete, you'll see quickly why we have so many repeat customers and recommendations. We always go the extra mile for our clients.  Contact us today for an onsite written estimate.

Concrete Pool Deck Repair, Concrete Driveway Repair, Concrete Staining and Concrete Refinishing - by MODE CONCRETE in Kelowna BC

This is a modern contemporary home, located in West Kelowna. Mode Concrete was asked to come onsite & fix all the cracks on this concrete architectural wall. Read on to get the full story.

Properly maintaining, sealing, repairing, and protecting your concrete will increase the longevity of your concrete and resale value of your home. 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). 

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!).

For this client (pictured above) we were able to color match the concrete perfectly and fill all the cracks / chips.  We then applied a matte sealer on the walls, to make sure there was a protective barrier on the concrete before the homeowners moved in.

MODE CONCRETE specializes in high end decorative concrete applications, concrete sealing, concrete restoration and concrete crack repairs.  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 can help.  

We service the Okanagan and always make sure our customers love us, and refer us to their friends. If  you want to hire the best artisan concrete contractor, contact MODE CONCRETE for a new level of service and customer satisfaction. Owners Gareth Tyrrell and Cindy Manchur work directly with all of our clients.

Mode Concrete are experts in the application of durable, affordable EPOXY surfaces - concrete professionals located in Kelowna BC

Transform dull or damaged concrete concrete into a brilliantly painted surface with a durable, professional quality epoxy floor finish... but best of all, it usually only takes us 2 days!  It's an affordable, easy, and stunning way to finish many different concrete surfaces.  Epoxy is great for residential, commercial or industrial applications.

These following images are a project that MODE CONCRETE recently completed in the Okanagan.  It's an older concrete waterfront patio that needed to be refinishing and coated with an epoxy coating.  Many different colors available and we only use the highest quality finishes available on the market.  For a professional experience with professional results, contact us today to see how we can help you!

Epoxy is a tough, long-lasting coating that you apply on top of the concrete. It resists grease, oil and many other substances that would ruin ordinary paint. It cleans easily and can be found in a variety of colors, so you can keep your concrete maintaining, durable, sparkling clean and attractive for years to come.

However, if attempting a DIY of this challenging project, be warned that without the proper products or concrete preparation, you might have a headache to deal with.  By preparing concrete properly, filling any cracks and degreasing the surface, this job can be labor intensive and tedious. As with any other paint job, success lies in the prep work.  That said, if you are located in the Okanagan Mode Concrete can come and help you assess your concrete’s condition and let you know what options are available for any new or existing concrete surface.

We always tell our customers the available options to them, give written estimates, get all of our clients from referrals and have an amazing reputation in the Okanagan Valley!  We are reasonably priced, professional, stay on schedule and stay within the estimated price.  We only use top quality tradesmen, techniques and materials.  Contact us today to see how we stand out from the competition!