With so many maintenance jobs already on their shoulders, such as making sure the HVAC system still works and exterminating household pests, homeowners often overlook their concrete. 

They shouldn’t. 

The condition of your concrete is the difference between a beautiful house and a house that has “seen better days.” That’s why patio, walkway, and driveway maintenance is so important. 

We’ve put together this guide to help walk you through the maintenance process. 

The Maintenance is Easy 

Don’t let the word “maintenance” concern you. Concrete maintenance doesn’t take a lot of work. 

It also doesn’t require a lot of attention. You only have to work on your concrete once every few months (or maybe even longer).

However, just because concrete maintenance is easy, doesn’t mean you can overlook it. Here’s why this maintenance is so important. 

It Keeps Your Pavement in Good Condition

Maintaining your concrete ensures it stays in good condition. Your patio, walkway, or driveway is less likely to crack or stain if you take care of it. 

It will also look a lot better if you keep it clean. 

It Boosts Curb Appeal 

Concrete that looks clean and beautiful can increase the curb appeal of your home. This means the value of your home can go up as well. 

This is especially important if you’re in the process of selling your home. However, even if you plan to stay in your home for years to come, raising the value of your home is always a good idea. 

It Saves You Money 

If you don’t maintain your concrete, it will wear out faster. That means you’ll have to hire professional repair services or professional cleaning services to take care of the job for you. 

Sometimes, this isn’t cheap. 

Concrete maintenance doesn’t take much time, and it’ll save you a lot of money in the long run. 

How to Maintain Your Concrete 

There are a few different maintenance jobs you need to do to keep your concrete in good condition. Most of these jobs are small, and you don’t have to do them very often. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

Seal It

Sealing your concrete will give it a protective layer that’ll protect it from things like stains. 

Tt isn’t something you should do on your own though. 

It’s a messy job, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s easy to make mistakes. It’s always a better idea to hire a professional to take care of the sealing process for you. 

For the best results, you’ll need to keep resealing your driveway every three years. 

Give it a Basic Sweep 

Sweeping your concrete is all you’ll need to do on a regular basis to keep it looking clean, and we use the word “regular” loosely. 

One sweep every few weeks (or even once a month) should be enough. If you don’t have a broom, you can spray it down with a garden hose instead. 

Remove Stains Right Away

Stains are a big problem for concrete. 

If you spill something on your concrete patio or driveway, make sure you clean it up right away. Otherwise, it’ll stick around for a long time. When it comes time to reseal your concrete, a bad stain will still be visible through the sealant. 

You can remove stains with a concrete cleaner. Follow the instructions that come on the package. 

You may also be able to use a basic household cleaner to lift the stain. In case that doesn’t do the trick, it’s a good idea to have some concrete cleaner on hand. 

Pull Out the Weeds 

If your patio or walkway has small, grid-like spaces between the pavement, you may have a problem with weeds. There are a few different ways you can get rid of them. 

First of all, you can pull them out by hand. However, though your concrete will look clean and nice for a few days, weeds grow back quickly. 

It’s a better idea to use weed treatment to get rid of them. Make sure you get something that is designed for concrete. Otherwise, you might stain your pavement. 

Even if the package says it’s concrete-safe, it’s a good idea to test a small amount on the edge of your pavement before doing the whole thing. 

Wash it with Bleach 

While sweeping is enough for regular cleaning, you’ll want to give your concrete a more in-depth wash every few months. 

The best way to do that is with water and bleach. 

Start by getting a pump-up sprayer and filling it with an equal amount of bleach and water. You should also add a touch of Dawn soap. 

Use a garden hose to spray down the surrounding plants, grass, walls, etc. (the water will help protect it from the bleach). Then spray the bleach mixture over your concrete. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it off with your hose. 

You may want to repeat this process several times on areas that have tough stains. 

Understanding Proper Patio, Walkway, and Driveway Maintenance 

At some point, these maintenance tasks won’t be enough to keep your concrete in good condition. This is especially true when algae or mildew starts to grow. When this happens, you’ll have to hire a professional cleaner. 

Not sure who to hire?

We can help with your patio, walkway, and driveway maintenance! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for more information!