How to Protect Cracking Concrete
Cracked concrete is not only aesthetically unpleasing but as cracking progressively increases overtimes, it becomes dangerous to walk and drive on. There are several causes for cracking in concrete, and most of them are avoidable to some extent. As concrete surfaces age, they become structurally compromised, and these compromises happen faster with no maintenance.
One of the main reasons why concrete cracks is exposure to water. When water penetrates the pores of the concrete during freezing conditions, the ice expands the concrete and leads to cracking. Sealing concrete surfaces is one of the best ways to protect cracks and compromises. Plus, depending on our property type, well-maintained concrete keeps HOA’s, neighbors, customers, and potential homebuyers happy with clean curb appeal.
Protecting New Concrete Surfaces
Once new concrete is poured on your property, your primary focus should be how to maintain the surface and get the longest possible life out of it. Pressure washing the concrete regularly helps keep contaminants that damage the exterior of the concrete at ease. However. new concrete should be treated very delicately and washed with a very low pressure, using specialized detergents that remove surface dirt, mildew, and mold.
Though the curing agent on newer concrete will naturally fade over time, washing the surface can expedite that process. After having your concrete pressure washed, consider having a protective sealer applied to the surface. In terms of strengthening and protecting the concrete from the inside, a siloxane sealer is an excellent option. While siloxane does not change the way the concrete looks, it penetrates the pores of the concrete, strengthens it from within, and helps protect from freeze-thaw conditions.
Fixing Cracks in Concrete
Once concrete is cracked, there are several steps to remedy the situation. A cost-effective route is to go to a home improvement store and purchase supplies to fill in the area and mask it. Though this solution doesn’t require placing new concrete in those cracks, it provides a cosmetic improvement that will suffice for the short term.
In some scenarios, which are out of one’s control, the ground underneath the concrete can shift at the control joint. This creates a situation where you need to have your concrete surface leveled. The average cost to have concrete leveled in Asheville, NC, is between $800 and $1,000.
Concrete and Driveway Cleaning in Asheville, NC
When it comes to protecting your property and delivering impeccable curb appeal, especially your concrete, the professionals at WNC Wash Pro’s have you covered. We have spent years beautifying and protecting properties using the safest and most cutting-edge process and technologies. For a free, no-obligation estimate, call our team today!