Concrete Care

• Refrain from placing any loads on newly poured concrete. This includes driving or parking vehicles for at least twenty-eight (28) days; at which time most concrete mixtures are fully cured.
• Heavy vehicles, including large trucks should not park on or drive over residential driveways as they are generally not designed to withstand such heavy loads. These types of vehicles should be cautious to avoid driving over the lower corners of new driveways, as these areas are the most prone to cracking.
• Keep excess water drainage away from your newly poured concrete. Keep eavestrough downspouts fully extended, placing sump hose discharges away from concrete and minimize watering the lawn adjacent to the newly poured concrete. Excessive water near your new concrete has the potential to compromise the integrity of the fill underneath, leading to voids, which can cause settlement and unsightly cracking.
• It is recommended to keep the concrete wet to slow down the curing process.  To properly cure a concrete slab, you should water it frequently, ideally 5-10 times a day, for the first 7 days after pouring to maintain moisture and promote strength development. This will help prevent stress cracks and maximize the concrete's strength.
• Remove organic debris, especially leaves promptly as some foliage can stain concrete.
• Keep fertilizers away from driveways and sidewalks as they can deteriorate the surface.
• Refrain from using acids to remove stains or clean concrete. Acids can deteriorate and discolour concrete.
• Concrete should have a thorough cleaning at least once a year to remove dirt, grime and stains. Cleaning with a stiff nonmetallic broom (or brush) with an approved concrete cleaner is preferable. Caution should be taken when using pressure washers as excessive water pressure can damage the concrete surface. Please be mindful and do your own research when selecting a cleaning product.

Sealing your concrete is very important and should not be passed upon. Sealing helps the performance and appearance of the concrete but more importantly it protects your investment. Below are some recommendations and maintenance tips to help you choose the proper sealer for your concrete. Please be sure to do your own research and read the manufacturer's instructions on the sealer packaging, as different sealers may have different applications.  

• Applying penetrating sealer to newly poured concrete is an extremely crucial step often disregarded. It will ensure longevity of the concrete and protection against the elements. A penetrating sealer is typically best applied 28 days after concrete has cured. When applied correctly, silicate penetrating sealers may last up to 10 years depending on the specific sealer used and where it is applied.   
• Decorative concrete driveways and walkways should be sealed every 1 to 3 years depending on the sealant’s performance. Sealing helps reduce staining, promotes a more consistent appearance as well as reducing moisture infiltration, therefore increasing the longevity of your slab and protecting your investment.
• Cure and seal products are the recommended application for newly poured decorative concrete. This allows the concrete to cure while simultaneously protecting it from the elements. A solvent based concrete sealer is recommended after 1-2 years or once the original sealing application begins to naturally wear. 

New concrete requires special care and attention during the winter season, particularly in northern climates. Moisture laden frozen substrate expands, causing concrete cracking and integrity issues. Freeze/thaw cycles may cause surface deterioration. Below are some basic care and maintenance recommendations that will minimize the impact winter will have on your concrete driveway or sidewalk.

• Promptly remove snow and ice from newly poured concrete, accumulations increase the probability of moisture penetrating the concrete slab; which has the potential to affect the slabs performance.
• Do not use de-icing chemicals or salt on newly poured concrete. De-icers are used to melt snow or ice; however, these chemicals can cause deterioration of the concrete. Vehicles passing over a driveway can also transfer these chemicals onto your garage slab causing deterioration there as well. Sand is a good alternative.
• De-icers that contain salt, calcium chloride, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphates and magnesium chloride are especially damaging to concrete.
• Brush away and remove road ice and slush that could contain de-icing chemicals from driveway. These chemicals are generally most prevalent around the road apron and where vehicles park.
• Freeze and thaw cycles that happen in the winter time can be detrimental to newly poured concrete. A penetrating sealer can prevent water and chemical salt from entering the pores of the concrete and expanding to ice. The freeze and thaw cycles will also activate the chemicals in the salt causing further damage to unsealed concrete. 
• A penetrating concrete sealer can help prevent salt damage to concrete by filling the pores in the concrete. The sealer will make it less likely for salt to penetrate and cause deterioration; essentially acting as a barrier against moisture and salt-based contaminants.