How do I care for my Concrete?

Your concrete has the opportunity to last for decades, and you can keep it looking new for almost just as long. The care you take for it can increase the life of the finish, increase traction, and help keep its “new concrete” look!

The First 30 Days

This is the most crucial time for a new concrete pad, and the most important time to communicate with your concrete contractor. Before following any guidelines in this article, ask your contractor about care details, and any products they used on the concrete to ensure you do not void any warranties.

Day one: Leave it alone! Ask your contractor if they are going to use a curing compound(1). Any interference with the concrete for these first crucial hours could result in a voided warranty and damage to the finish.

Days two through seven: This is where the bulk of the curing process takes place, the important steps for the homeowner are:

1. No weight: Concrete does not reach its rated PSI rating until 30 days after the concrete is poured, and the surface can be damaged easily.
2. Keep the moisture in: On day two, especially if the weather is warm, actions must be taken to maintain moisture levels in the concrete. This can be done in a couple different ways, the easiest being sprinkling water on the surface occasionally. The next option is covering the concrete, typically covered with a plastic sheet to retain the moisture in the concrete. The last and most difficult option is to seal the concrete, this is typically done with a spray and roll acrylic sealant.
3. Avoid stains: Bringing foreign material onto the concrete in the early stages can lead to discoloration, stains, and improper curing. Things like wet grass, mud, and food can cause the concrete to cure uneven to the rest of the pad, leaving discoloration.

Days seven through fourteen: The most sensitive parts of the curing process will likely be finished, at this point, light foot traffic can begin to be used on the concrete and retaining moisture is no longer needed.

Days fifteen through thirty: Using the concrete contractor/suppliers guidelines patio furniture, vehicles, and heavier foot traffic can begin to use the concrete.

The Next Five to Ten Years

The years following a concrete pour can be the hardest conditions for a concrete pad especially in Minnesota, where concrete is exposed to salt and freezing conditions for several months of the year. The following tips will extend the life of your concrete:

1. Avoid using salt: salt can permeate the surface of the concrete and cause water to thaw, then freeze inside the slab. Salt will also cause chemical reactions(2) in the concrete, leading to reduced strength.
2. Use a concrete sealer: This can be different for each type of finish for concrete, but for a broomed finish, a simple acrylic or water based sealant can be used by spraying and rolling the sealer.
3. Keep it clean: When dirt, salt, and other foreign material are present on the slab, use a pressure washer (carefully) to remove the material. This will maintain the bright finish, reduce slipping, and increase the longevity of the finish.

Resources and Sources:

(1) American Concrete Institute https://www.concrete.org/topicsinconcrete/topicdetail/Curing%20of%20Concrete?search=Curing%20of%20Concrete

(2) Brickform

How to Prevent Salt Damage to Concrete