How to aid the appearance and longevity of concrete surfaces in your home?

Over a course of time, the concrete surfaces in your home such as your driveway, patio or block paving can deteriorate and lose their curb appeal. Exposure to outside elements like the sun, rain, dirt and moss growth can all make any concrete surface look scruffy and in need of desperate attention.

Fortunately, you can easily prevent the concrete surfaces in your home from wearing down by keeping up with a periodic cleaning routine. For the cleaning purposes, you can remove any debris and dirt sitting on the surface by only a little brushing. Along with simple brushing, the occasional pressure washing with quality, non-chemical washing powder can work wonders. It will surely make the concrete surfaces look like they have just been ‘laid’.

That being said, cleaning alone cannot aid the concrete’s appearance and longevity. This is because most concrete surfaces are porous in nature, which means they absorb water and moisture quite easily. They sure do look wonderful when they are properly installed, but with time, they typically begin to look worn-out and unappealing. Their porous nature can also potentially become a risk in that the surfaces are likely to get slippery in damp and wet conditions, especially with algae build up. Therefore, apart from regular cleaning, you may also want to apply a few coats of a high-quality block paving sealer to add to the durability and appearance of the concrete surface. Applying a sealer on the surface will seal it and make it water and moisture proof as well as impervious to stains, surface growth, discolouration, and even UV light damage. You will need to apply a fresh coat of a sealer every couple of years, though.

Because there are many types of concrete finishing tools and sealers available on the market today, it can be a bit confusing to decide which one to use. So, you should always review the packaging before you make a purchase as applying the wrong sealant could wreak havoc on your concrete surface.

The concrete surfaces in your home require regular maintenance in order to stay in an immaculate condition. All too often, a little hard work with some cleaning and a sealant application can indeed give your outworn and uncared for concrete surfaces an entirely different look.