Concrete Needs TLC, Too
Curb appeal starts at your curb, and your driveway is the path from your curb to your property, so your driveway is literally a part of your property's curb appeal; and stained, cracked, discolored concrete driveways certainly don't raise property values. Putting in a new concrete driveway is not a quick, simple, or inexpensive project, so it pays to be proactive by properly maintaining your concrete surfaces with proper maintenance habits along with regular professional pressure washing.
Concrete driveways, curbs, and sidewalks, frame your picture-perfect property, and oil stains, ground-in roadkill, and concrete discoloration draws the eye in a negative way, so driveway washing, sidewalk cleaning, and parking lot washing is an important part of keeping your property looking its best. The best way to maintain your concrete surfaces and keep your driveways and sidewalks looking clean and immaculate is to let the pressure washing experts at Southern Pride Softwash take care of it. But if you're a new homeowner or if your driveway already looks great, we've got a few tips to keep it looking that way.
These helpful hints will help you maintain your driveway and flat concrete surfaces, but when it's time to clean, call the pressure washing professionals at Southern Pride Softwash.
Concrete And Cement 101
Concrete is extremely porous, and those pores are a natural part of the curing process of the concrete as the water evaporates out. Over time, rain carries road dirt, salt, and other contaminants into the concrete through those pores, making it look dirty. And those small pockets offer organic organisms like mold, fungus, and algae a place to put down roots and grow.
There are a few factors that can cause discoloration in concrete, but curing inadequacies are the most common. When concrete is new, a curing agent is applied to it, giving it a whitish color. Over time, this curing agent will naturally wear away. As it wears away, the natural, darker color of the concrete will present itself. It is important to make the distinction between dirty concrete and worn concrete, and between natural fading and rust-like discoloration common in areas with high iron in the groundwater.
Hard Doesn't Mean Invincible
While concrete is inherently hard, tough, and strong, its surface is still susceptible to scratching, chipping, and other damage. Be careful with metal-edged tools to avoid scratching your driveway, and make sure your lawnmower is set to a higher blade setting when driving over it.
Avoid Melting Agents
While melting agents like salt effectively melt the ice on your driveway, their long-term effects can damage your concrete. Salt will decrease the freezing point of liquids on the concrete, which causes water to pool, and freezing and thawing of ice and water will occur more frequently, leading to fissures and cracking of concrete in time.
Quick Oil Intervention
When oil stains penetrate your concrete, they can be extremely stubborn and difficult to remove, and the quicker you are to respond, the more likely you are to prevail in the constant battle against oil stains. If the oil spot is still wet, you can apply something like cat litter or baking soda to soak up as much as possible, thus avoiding saturation that will penetrate deeper into the pores of the concrete with time. Once you've removed all standing oil, apply water to the stain and scrub with a brush using a solution of water and baking soda before rinsing away. Repeat the process until satisfied, or call Southern Pride Softwash and let us handle the mess.
Professional Driveway Washing
Washing your driveway on an annual basis is essential in extending its life and putting off expensive replacement for as long as possible. Mold, mildew, fungus, and algae will naturally find their way to your driveway over time, which can speed up concrete and cement deterioration. Using variable pressure and specialized cleansers, a professional exterior cleaning company that combines pressure washing and soft washing techniques can ensure you'll get the best cleaning and maintenance results for your driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots.
Use A Concrete Sealer
Concrete sealers are designed to strengthen and protect the surface and extend its life, and there are many types of sealers available, all with different properties and features. Acrylic and topcoat sealers are designed to protect the surface and often change the look of the concrete. Penetrating sealers are designed to enter the pores of the surface and structurally protect the surface from within. Concrete sealing is an effective way of protecting and maintaining your driveways, sidewalks, and concrete surfaces, but needs to be done on a regular basis to get the longest possible lifespan out of your investment.
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Professional pressure washing restores the polished look of your home and driveways to boost curb appeal, removes airborne pathogens that can cause your family discomfort, and protects exterior surfa […]
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Concrete Needs TLC, Too
Curb appeal starts at your curb, and your driveway is the path from your curb to your property, so your driveway is literally a part of your property's curb appeal; and stained, cracked, discolored c […]