Check these six concrete maintenance tasks off your to-do list this season to keep your concrete looking great.
Finally… the days are getting longer, the weather is warming up, and you can actually enjoy going outside again. Before you spend half of your Saturday searching for your Spring decor, take a lap around your home.
Concrete might seem low-maintenance, but without proper care, your concrete surfaces can crack, settle, and deteriorate. Take a couple of minutes to explore these six simple, but essential maintenance tasks to keep your concrete safe and looking good.
1. Address Uneven Concrete to Prevent Trip Hazards
Sunny weather is all fun and games until someone trips over an uneven concrete slab during a pickup game of driveway basketball and is ruled out for the season – quite the opposite of home field advantage.
Uneven concrete isn't just ugly, it’s also a serious safety risk. Even minor settling can lead to dangerous trip hazards. If your concrete has settled, a professional concrete leveling service can lift it back to a safe position.
And before your dreams of becoming an NBA superstar vanish, you can watch the concrete leveling pros lift your settled slabs (it’s a mesmerizing process!) and your spirits. That is until you notice that the nearby landscaping needs some attention…
2. Add Fresh Soil to Your Concrete’s Base
As you prepare your flower beds and landscaping for spring, take a look at the edges of your concrete slabs. Over time, erosion can wash away the soil underneath, weakening the base and causing the slabs to settle.
Add soil around the perimeter of your concrete to replace any washed-out areas. Ensure the soil slopes slightly away from the concrete so that water runs off properly instead of running underneath the slab and eroding the base.
Wait! Keep those gloves on because now is also the perfect time to check your home’s drainage system to make sure excess water isn’t contributing to slab movement.
3. Clean Out Gutters and Redirect Downspouts
Spring means rain, and if your gutters and downspouts aren’t working efficiently, water can wreak havoc on your concrete. Water runoff is one of the leading causes of concrete damage, eroding the soil underneath and weakening its foundation.
Clear out leaves, sludge, and debris that have built up in the gutters over fall and winter. Use a garden hose to flush water through the system to ensure proper drainage. If your downspouts direct water near concrete slabs, redirect them to prevent pooling and erosion.
Related Resource: How To Clean Your Gutters + Gutter and Downspout Maintenance Tips
While you have the hose out… set up your pressure washer (or set up an appointment with concrete maintenance pros!) to wash the fall and winter stains off your concrete.
4. Pressure Wash to Remove Winter Stains
After months of exposure to snow, ice, and deicing chemicals, your concrete is likely stained and covered in grime. A thorough pressure washing can remove dirt, salt deposits, mildew, and algae, ideally restoring your concrete’s clean, bright appearance.
Pro Tip: Start with a mild detergent for stubborn stains, but avoid harsh chemicals that could weaken the concrete. Be careful not to use excessive pressure, which can damage the surface.
Related Resource: How To Clean Concrete [Step-by-Step Guide]
With your concrete now fresh and clean, it’s time to protect it from future damage with a quality sealer.
5. Apply a Protective Concrete Sealer
Once your concrete is clean, sealing is the next step. Think of it as a protective barrier that blocks moisture, resists stains, and prevents surface wear over time. A high-quality concrete sealer helps slow down and prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles, chemicals, and general wear and tear.
We usually recommend using a penetrating sealer, which penetrates into the porous concrete and undergoes a chemical reaction with the concrete to provide deep protection.
At this point, your concrete is looking great, but one last step remains: addressing cracks before they lead to bigger problems.
6. Caulk Cracks to Prevent Water Intrusion
Cracks in concrete might seem like a cosmetic issue, but they are actually entry points for water. Once moisture seeps in, it can erode the base layer, leading to settling slabs. Over time and continuous freeze-thaw cycles, small cracks will widen, resulting in more extensive (and expensive) repairs.
Use a high-quality, flexible concrete caulk to seal cracks. This type of sealant moves with the concrete and prevents water penetration.
Related Resource: How To Fix Concrete Cracks
Spring Has Sprung… It’s Time to Maintain and Protect Your Concrete!
Right now is the ideal time to inspect, clean, and maintain your concrete surfaces before summer arrives. By taking these six steps now, you can prevent future damage, extend the life of your concrete, and keep your property looking its best.
If your concrete needs leveling, sealing, or repair, request a free estimate from an A-1 Concrete Leveling location near you! A little proactive care today can save you from costly repairs in the future!
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