Maintaining Your Newly-Repaired Concrete is Easier Than You Think

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Deciding to repair your concrete by foam leveling should be a no-brainer. There are many reasonswhy foam leveling is the preferred method for many concrete contractors, and why it is the right choice for you. Once you have chosen to go through with the repair, however, you will want to protect your investment. Even though foam leveling is less expensive than the other options available to you, it is still worthwhile to protect your newly-repaired concrete. There are a few steps you can take to ensure your repair lasts as long as possible.

Prevention

Knowing how to protect your concrete from cracks or potholes is an important part of any maintenance. Concrete should be sealed annually to prevent water from seeping underneath the material. Sealing the concrete will also help it from contracting and expanding in the below-freezing temperatures that often occur in an Aurora winter, which is one of the biggest contributors to cracks forming. Additionally, if there are any trees or large plants whose roots may grow up underneath the concrete, they should be removed, as roots are another main cause of concrete cracks.

Helping water drain off the concrete is also a great way to make sure your repaired concrete lasts a long time. Any standing water will seep underneath the concrete and can cause soil erosion, or will wear away the concrete itself. By having troughs on the sides of the concrete to help direct rainwater and the melting snow, you will prevent the gathering of any water on top of your concrete. Also be sure the drainage spouts from your gutters are pointing away from the concrete.

Winter Treatment

Nothing will be as hard on your concrete as the winters that Aurora experiences. Try to avoid using salt as a de-icer, as its corrosiveness is particularly bad for cement. Because cement is more porous than asphalt, the salt will work its way into the material, ultimately causing cracks to occur. Instead, using sand or kitty litter as a de-icer is much better. Those materials are inert enough to not affect the cement.

When plowing or shoveling the cement, it is better to use plastic instead of metal (a snowblower can work well, too). Metal will scrape the material, and can remove some of the protective sealant that had been applied to help prevent freezing and cracking. If the concrete is slightly uneven, consider not plowing fully to the bottom of the snow, as you do not want the plow to get caught and further exacerbate the crack or unevenness that is already there.

Protect What You Have

Keeping anything incredibly heavy away from the edges of your concrete will help preserve the edges and keep the concrete intact. Concrete isn’t made for having super heavy objects on top of it, so if you are having any remodeling work done on your home, make sure all construction vehicles stay clear of your concrete driveway. Ensuring the concrete is clean of any oils or grease will help prolong its life as well. Like water, the oil or grease can penetrate the top layer of the concrete and can soften the material, leaving it more susceptible to cracking or splitting.

Repairing Your Concrete is Worthwhile

As you can see, maintaining your repaired concrete is not difficult. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your concrete is great shape. If you are ready to get started on your concrete repair job today, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by filling out our easy online form or by calling us at (303) 883-3322.

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