Concrete Maintenance Tips & Tricks

Posted on 27th September 2016 by Ever Readymix Concrete

Concrete Maintenance Tips and Tricks

Concrete is one of the most versatile and robust construction materials in the world, and is ideal for a wide range of projects from small-scale DIY jobs to vast commercial builds. Concrete can last for many years without trouble, but it can end up losing its lustre without proper care.

This month, we’re taking a look at some of the simple ways you can help to maintain your concrete so it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

 

Avoid using sharp objects on your concrete

Cosmetic damage like scratches and scuffs will negatively impact the look of any concrete surface, from concrete driveways to floors. This is particularly frustrating if your concrete surface is largely decorative as opposed to structural; your new kitchen countertop might look stunning at first, but if you let scratches and chips build up then the appeal will quickly be lost.

You can easily minimise scratches, both deep and shallow, by avoiding the use of sharp objects on your concrete surface. Use a cutting board when chopping food on your concrete worktop, and take extra care with heavy objects so they aren’t dropped on your concrete floor.

In the winter, your exterior concrete will be assaulted by snow and ice and you will want to clear it as efficiently as possible, but using shovels with sharp metal edges can quickly damage the surface. When clearing snow – or anything else settled on your concrete – use a plastic shovel instead.

Don’t let stains sit for too long

Cleaning your concrete is an effective way of maintaining the way it looks, so dealing with spillages before they are able to settle is important if you don’t want your floor or driveway to become discoloured. Oil, petrol and grease can leave ugly stains if left for too long, so deal with them as they happen instead of leaving them until later. Pressure washing your concrete will help clear settled stains, but it may still prove hard to fully remove certain stubborn stains.

Avoid overloading your concrete

When choosing a mix for a concrete driveway, it’s important to know the expected weight of the loads you will be exposing it to. Driving or parking too many vehicles – or vehicles which are too heavy – on your driveway could lead to the presence of cracks. Domestic driveways shouldn’t be expected to bear the weight of heavy construction vehicles, so make sure not to overload them in this way.

If your concrete driveway has already suffered from overloading, it is best to have the driveway replaced – perhaps using a stronger mix – instead of attempting resurfacing, as the driveway will likely only crack again in the future.

Polish or wax your concrete

Adding a layer of protection can prevent things like scratches, chips and scuffs from damaging your decorative concrete floors. You can use a dedicated concrete floor wax to give your floor a high quality finish, which will greatly assist with protection if you’re worried about damage from dropped objects.

A polished concrete floor will be easier to maintain and more durable from the start, and will provide an attractive lustre and sheen for years. Polished concrete will only need basic cleaning to maintain its look, and you can be less worried about minor damage as you otherwise would with waxed or sealed concrete.

Replace broken concrete

While you can take many steps to maintain the look of your concrete, if it has already suffered significant damage from cracks or chips, it is wise to replace the concrete entirely instead of taking the temporary measure of repairing affected areas as they will likely only become damaged again later. The high quality ready mix concrete at Ever Readymix is ideal for projects of any scale and your mix can be prepared to your exact specifications.

Ever Readymix Concrete are proud to be a leading supplier of first rate ready mix concrete to domestic and commercial customers throughout the Yorkshire region. We endeavour to provide prompt and flexible delivery, and our highly skilled team are on hand to provide expert advice, using their vast experience in the concrete industry. For more information on our ready mix concrete, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.