🧱 Concrete Maintenance Guide

🔒 Sealing Concrete

  • Purpose: Sealing helps protect concrete’s appearance and extends its durability.

  • Function: Sealers prevent moisture and contaminants (like deicing chemicals) from penetrating the concrete.

  • Reapplication: Sealers wear over time. Reapply:

    • According to the manufacturer’s recommendations, or

    • As needed—when water no longer beads on the surface.

Recommended Product: SIL-ACT® ATS-42

  • Type: Clear, penetrating silane treatment.

  • Protection Against: Water, chlorides, weathering elements, and contaminants.

  • Best Use: Ideal for parking decks, bridge decks, pavements, and other concrete or masonry surfaces.

  • Surface Compatibility: Works well with broom-finish concrete.

  • Benefits: Prevents premature deterioration; high-performance water repellent.

❄️ Preventing Freeze-Thaw Damage

Two key conditions cause freeze-thaw damage:

  1. Saturation of the concrete with water.

  2. Exposure to freeze-thaw cycles.

Tips to Avoid Damage:

  • ❌ Avoid deicing chemicals, especially in the first winter after concrete is poured.

    • Deicers can worsen freeze-thaw damage and increase moisture penetration.

  • ✅ Use sand or traction grit for safer winter traction.

  • 🧹 Promptly remove snow and ice manually to prevent saturation.

🧼 Other Maintenance Tips

  • Preventative care is best:

    • Regularly broom or rinse concrete to remove dirt and debris.

  • Fertilizers can chemically damage concrete:

    • Sweep off any fertilizer that lands on concrete surfaces.

  • Stain removal:

    • Remove oil, gas, or other spills immediately, even if the surface is sealed.

  • Avoid harsh chemicals:

    • Do not use strong acids for cleaning.

    • Use only cleaners made for concrete surfaces.