Cracks in Your Concrete Can Cause a Hole in Your Wallet
Provided by: ARA
(ARA) - It's definitely not fun, but it's a fact of life for every homeowner -- maintenance. Every spring, you service the air conditioner, inspect the gutters and repair window screens. Everything's in order for the upcoming warmer months, right? Not so fast. One of the most important maintenance tasks to complete on a regular basis is often times overlooked -- caring for your home's concrete driveway, walkways and patios.
For years we've been led to believe that concrete is indestructible and maintenance-free. Unfortunately, many homeowners learn the hard way that concrete does fail and repairing or replacing it isn't cheap. In fact, the average homeowner will spend approximately six dollars a square foot when replacing existing concrete.
However, there are some simple steps you can take now to help prevent your concrete from crumbling:
Inspect driveway, sidewalk and patio. Cracks and signs of deterioration will allow water to soften the ground underneath and cause more cracking. You can typically use concrete caulk for most cracks less than 1/4 inch. Clean out the crack with a high pressure hose, let dry, then apply caulk into the crack. For larger cracks you should use concrete patch.
Watch for water. Water sitting on concrete can stain the surface and allow cracks to form and mold spores to develop. To prevent water damage and deterioration, make sure there is proper drainage near your driveway.
Use a sealer. It is important that a surface sealer be applied after a new concrete driveway, patio or sidewalk is poured. You can check with your ready-mix concrete supplier or contractor for sealers, but one of the more popular sealers is H&C Silicone Acrylic Concrete Sealer. These types of sealers are specifically developed to seal and protect exterior and bare concrete surfaces by repelling acids, UV rays, oil and gas. Additionally, many of these sealers now come in a wide range of decorative colors, so you can personalize your home's exterior while protecting it.
Recoat regularly. Once you've applied a sealer, remember to re-coat the concrete every three to five years to maintain a level of protection for the surface. Harsh climate changes, such as blustery winter weather, can cause sealers to eventually breakdown.
Clean surface spills. After any type of spill of oil or gasoline, be sure to clean the area as soon as possible to avoid damage and discoloration. Also, remember not to leave fertilizer, leaves or grass clippings on your driveway. They may contain chemicals or enzymes that can harm your concrete surface.
Don't use deicers on new driveways. Since concrete takes a while to reach its maximum strength, if your driveway was poured less than one year ago, don't use a deicer. While some deicers, such as salt, do not chemically react with the concrete, they do increase the number of freeze/thaw cycles. This has the potential of damaging the concrete until it has reached its maximum strength (after one year).
Avoid deicers with ammonium nitrate or ammonium sulfate. These chemicals are often packaged and sold as deicers, but they will rapidly disintegrate concrete. Under usual conditions, deicers that contain sodium chloride (common salt) or calcium chloride may be used after the first winter.
Sand is safe. The only safe material to use to make the concrete surface skid-resistant is plain sand. Sand can be purchased from your local home improvement store or at a concrete supplier in your area. By following these simple maintenance steps, you can enjoy the investment of your concrete for many years to come.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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