Rejuvenating and Resealing Concrete for the Summer

Portland weather is ideal for plant life to grow and thrive. It’s one of the many reasons the Rose City is such a beautiful place to live. When summer comes around, you might notice that all the moss, dirt, and other debris from winter and spring have made your concrete look less than brand new. Or maybe you’re just thinking ahead, and want to prevent a lovely new concrete installation from getting damaged this year.

Whatever your reason, there are many ways to repair damage from the elements. This article will go over a simple but effective concrete cleaning method called pressure washing, as well as a few tips for how and when to safely seal concrete. Let’s get started.

Maybe all this bright sunlight suddenly illuminated some unsightly oil stains on your driveway. Maybe temperature changes and heavy vehicles have slowly caused damage over time. Or maybe you simply want to spruce up your backyard patio before hosting your annual summer barbecue.

If your driveway or patio needs a little refresh, we start by figuring out why it’s looking worse for wear in the first place. If it’s dirty or stained, professional pressure washing is the best way to thoroughly clean concrete. This method can quickly and easily remove mud, algae, moss, and even moss spores that haven’t grown into green moss yet.

If you have more serious damage, we can recommend the best repair option to get your concrete back to top condition.

Concrete doesn’t have to be sealed, but sealing it helps preserve its appearance and structural integrity. It adds an extra line of defense against staining, surface damage, and corrosion.

This makes concrete surfaces last longer, and it also makes maintenance much faster and easier. Concrete sealing increases the longevity of your surface by fortifying it against:

• Rain, moss, and dirt
• Oil stains
• Temperature changes
• Damage from heavy vehicles
• Other potentially damaging factors

Even if you originally chose to have your concrete sealed when it was first installed, we recommend resealing concrete driveways and patios twice a year. If your concrete design incorporates colors or stamps, resealing is especially important to maintain the appearance.

If you’re getting ready to reseal your concrete for the summer, you should know that it’s possible to apply sealers yourself. However, certain sealing chemicals are ideal for certain types of concrete and climates, while other chemicals can be damaging or ineffective. A concrete contractor can tell you which type of sealer is best for your surface.

At GWC Decorative Concrete, we would love to help you beautify and protect your concrete surfaces, so you can enjoy spending time at home this summer and all year round. No matter what kind of concrete you have or how severely it’s damaged, we can help. Get in touch today to get a free estimate.