Concrete Care
Helping You Protect Your Concrete Investment
At A Plus Concrete LLC, we believe our customers should understand how to properly care for their concrete and what to expect from concrete as building material.
Concrete is strong, durable, and built to last, but it is not maintenance-free. Weather, moisture, soil movement, drainage, temperature changes, and everyday use can all affect concrete over time.
The following information is provided as a general guide to help homeowners and property owners protect and maintain their concrete.
Allow New Concrete Time to Cure
Concrete needs time to cure and gain strength after it is placed. During this period, it is important to avoid putting excessive weight or traffic on the surface too soon.
The amount of time before you can walk, drive, park, or place heavy objects on new concrete can vary depending on the project, concrete mix, weather conditions, and time of year.
For projects completed by A Plus Concrete, we will provide guidance on when your new concrete can safely be used.
Keep Your Concrete Clean
Routine cleaning can help maintain the appearance of your concrete and prevent dirt, organic material, oil, grease, and other substances from building up on the surface.
We recommend cleaning spills as soon as possible. If pressure washing concrete, use appropriate equipment and pressure settings, as excessive pressure or improper technique may damage the surface.
Pay Attention to Drainage
Proper drainage is an important part of protecting concrete.
Standing water, soil erosion, clogged drainage systems, leaking downspouts, and changes to surrounding landscaping can affect the soil supporting your concrete.
Property owners should periodically check drainage around concrete surfaces and avoid landscaping or grading changes that cause water to collect around or beneath the concrete.
Be Careful with De-Icing Chemicals
De-icing salts and certain ice-melting products can contribute to surface deterioration, scaling, and other damage to concrete, particularly when concrete is newer.
We recommend avoiding harsh de-icing chemicals whenever possible and carefully reviewing product instructions before applying any ice-melting product to a concrete surface.
Sand or other concrete-safe traction materials may be a better alternative in some situations.
Consider Sealing Your Concrete
Depending on the type of concrete, finish, and exposure to the elements, applying a quality concrete sealer may help protect the surface from moisture, staining, weather exposure, and everyday wear.
Concrete sealers do not last permanently and may need to be reapplied periodically. The appropriate product and application schedule will depend on the concrete surface, environmental exposure, and manufacturer recommendations.
Protecting the Concrete Surface
Concrete is durable, but the surface can still be scratched, chipped, stained, or damaged.
Avoid dragging heavy or sharp objects across the surface. When appropriate, consider using protective pads underneath heavy furniture, planters, equipment, or other items that may place concentrated pressure on the concrete.
Understanding Concrete Cracking
One of the most common questions we receive is whether concrete will crack.
The reality is that concrete can crack. As concrete cures, it naturally shrinks. It also expands and contracts with temperature changes and can be affected by soil movement, moisture conditions, drainage, tree roots, and other environmental factors.
Proper site preparation, reinforcement, concrete placement, and control joints can help reduce and manage cracking, but no concrete contractor can guarantee that concrete will never crack.
Control joints are intentionally placed to encourage cracking to occur in planned locations; however, they cannot guarantee that cracks will only occur within those joints.
The presence of a crack does not automatically mean that the concrete was installed incorrectly or that there is a structural problem. Each situation should be evaluated individually.
Monitor the Area Around Your Concrete
Conditions surrounding your concrete can change over time.
We recommend periodically checking for soil erosion, settlement, drainage problems, tree root growth, standing water, or landscaping changes that could affect the concrete.
Taking care of these conditions early may help prevent more significant problems in the future.
Caring for Concrete During Winter
Cold and wet weather can be challenging for exterior concrete, particularly in areas that experience freezing and thawing.
When removing snow or ice, use tools and methods that will not scratch or chip the concrete surface. Use caution with metal shovels or sharp equipment.
We also recommend carefully selecting any ice-melting products used on concrete, as certain chemicals can contribute to surface deterioration.
Our 1-Year Workmanship Warranty
A Plus Concrete LLC provides a 1-year workmanship warranty on qualifying projects.
Our workmanship warranty is intended to cover qualifying issues directly related to our installation and workmanship.
Because concrete is affected by natural and environmental conditions, normal concrete characteristics and conditions outside of our control may not be covered. These may include natural cracking, ground or soil movement, settlement unrelated to workmanship, severe weather, freeze-thaw cycles, improper drainage, damage caused by de-icing chemicals, misuse, alterations by others, or lack of proper maintenance.
The specific warranty terms and conditions applicable to each project will be outlined in the customer's contract and warranty documentation.
Our Commitment to Transparency
At A Plus Concrete LLC, we want our customers to make informed decisions about their concrete projects.
We believe in being transparent about both the benefits and natural characteristics of concrete. Our goal is to use proper construction practices, quality materials, and experienced workmanship to provide concrete that is attractive, durable, and built to serve its intended purpose for years to come.
If you have questions about maintaining existing concrete or caring for a project completed by A Plus Concrete LLC, we encourage you to contact our team.