CONGRATULATIONS. You are a new concrete owner. You have made an investment that will add value and aesthetics to your home or business for years to come. Like any building material, concrete requires some maintenance to maximize it's service life. The following recommendations are from ARM (Aggregate and Ready Mix Association of Minnesota).
Time Frame: Immediately
Curing is a process that provides a moist environment that prevents newly placed concrete from drying out. In cold weather, additional curing methods are required to prevent newly placed concrete from freezing. Curing is a critical step in any concrete project because proper curing maximizes the strength and durability of the concrete. The curing process should begin as soon as the finished concrete surface is strong enough to remain undisturbed by the curing process. Concrete should be cured for a minimum of 7 days.
You and/or your concrete contractor should use one of the following methods to cure your concrete:
-Soaker Hoses
-Ponding
-Saturated Covering (wet burlap)
-Plastic Sheets
-Curing Compounds
In cold weather, concrete should be covered with insulated blankets to prevent the concrete temperature from falling below freezing.
Time Frame: 4 Weeks
Concrete sealers are chemical compounds that are applied to the concrete surface. These products work by sealing the concrete surface and preventing the penetration of water and harmful substances. Sealing concrete protects your investment by extending the service life and preserving the aesthetics of your concrete product.
-ARM recommends a high quality silane and/or siloxane sealer be applied 4 weeks after the placement of the concrete.
-Your contractor or concrete supplier can provide recommendations on what products to use.
-The sealer manufacturers instructions on surface preparation and application rates should be strictly adhered to.
-Be sure to ask your concrete contractor what products they used to cure your concrete. Special steps may be needed to prepare the concrete surface for sealing if certain products were used.
Time Frame: Beyond 4 weeks.
Sealers will need to be reapplied. Follow your sealer manufacturer's recommended reapplication schedule. You can spot check portions of your concrete to determine when sealers need to be reapplied. When water no longer beads on the surface of the concrete, it is time to reapply sealer.
Protecting your investment
-Promptly removing snow and ice accumulation from your concrete will increase it's service life.
-Avoid using de-icing chemicals on your driveway or sidewalk for at least the first winter. Instead, sand/grit can be used for traction.
-Always be sure to check the labels on de-icers. Never use products which contain magnesium, chloride or potassium acetate.
-Fertilizers contain substances which chemically attack concrete. Fertilizer should never be used as a de-icer. Promptly sweep off any fertilizer that is inadvertently cast on the concrete when spreading lawns.