Concrete has proven itself to be a powerful construction material throughout it’s long history, and in that time it’s also displayed how reliable it can be for any residential and commercial projects. However, over the years a few common misconceptions about the maintenance of concrete have formed, it’s important to understand and know what’s going to help to maintain your concrete and what doesn’t need to be done. Below are five common misconceptions behind the maintenance of concrete. 

Misconception 1: You don’t need chemicals to maintain concrete floors. No hard flooring surface cleans itself, including concrete. Chemicals are used to breakdown, remove and clean dirt and debris. Concrete is exposed to the same dirt and debris as any other flooring, so it should be maintained in a similar manner.

Misconception 2: All concrete walking surfaces are created equal. Concrete is either coated or polished. Maintenance of coated concrete will come down to the maintenance of the coating. For example, epoxies, urethanes and acrylics will have their own criteria associated with them.  Polished concrete is maintained with abrasives. While much of the daily maintenance will be similar to other hard floor surfaces, you need to consider the coating before developing a comprehensive maintenance program.

Misconception 3: Cleaning staff know how to clean concrete floors. Depending on who handles cleaning and maintenance responsibilities, there’s a good chance that someone with little to no experience is cleaning concrete floors, including professional cleaning staff. Before you let anyone clean your floors, make sure they have the knowledge and expertise for the job.

Misconception 4: Concrete floors will last just as long without any cleaning or maintenance. If the concrete is coated, the longevity of the floor is dependent on the quality of the coating and how it is maintained. If the concrete is mechanically polished, the longevity is dependent on the methods and how well those methods were executed during the process of polishing. A properly polished concrete floor with bonded abrasives will have reduced maintenance and longer time period in between restorative procedures than traditional flooring surfaces.

Misconception 5: Soil loads and the type of soil do not impact how a concrete floor is cleaned. A concrete floor is no different than any other hard floor surface. The amount of soil and the type of soil will dictate the frequency of and the type of cleaning procedures. 

​As always, the experts at A-Concrete are here to help you. Regardless of the project size or type, the specialists have your back. Head to our website and get in touch with the A-Concrete team. 👍

No matter the type of property or area, eventually the time comes to renovate. It’s a step in creating something new and exciting, increasing resale value, or simply improving your home. Here are several benefits to renovating concrete spaces within your home and outside of it. Creating something special is only a phone call away from the experts at A-Concrete. 

Concrete Resurfacing

Concrete resurfacing is a great idea for several reasons.  Firstly, it can be done inside or outside the home, meaning that all types of concrete can be easily rejuvenated.  Because it is available in so many different colors, patterns, and textures, it can be used to create virtually a limitless range of designs, from traditional country looks through to ultra modern finishes, or finishes that you’d swear were natural stone.  Just some of the looks that you can create include paved finishes, brick, sandstone, granite, or stamped concrete.  You can combine different patterns or finishes to create borders that highlight the main area. One of the biggest benefits of concrete resurfacing is its cost effectiveness.  It is much cheaper than removing your old concrete and replacing it with new concrete or another type of flooring.  Just think – you could create elegant sandstone finishes, beautiful paved looks, or cozy bricks, at a fraction of the cost of the real thing!  It can also increase the value of your home, which is great if you are trying to jazz it up for sale without spending a lot of money.  If only a small part of your concrete floor is damaged, you can choose to have only that part resurfaced, which means that you can save even more money. Concrete resurfacing is often sealed in order to preserve the brightness and integrity of the colors used and the sealing also has the purpose of protecting the new coating from wear. You can even use coatings that have anti slip properties so that the concrete is safe to walk on, no matter how wet it might be.

Driveway Renovations

Driveways have to put up with a lot of abuse. They’re constantly exposed to the elements, which means that not only do they suffer through the expansion and contraction of the freeze/thaw process, but they’re inundated with rain, baked in the summer sun and more. They have to deal with thousands of pounds driving on them every day, as well.

Add to that the fact that concrete is actually porous, and you begin to see why, if not properly maintained, they can begin to deteriorate. Freezing and thawing, coupled with moisture and the weight of vehicles on the surface, will eventually cause small cracks to form. These will grow over time, eventually widening, and leading to crumbling concrete that needs to be replaced or repaired. Whether you need some maintenance tips from the experts, or a renovation, A-Concrete is here to help. 

Backyard Renovations

​Having a concrete patio is a wonderful addition that can open up and beautify any backyard space. It also allows for easy and creative renovations. Whether you want to extend your patio, add textures to the concrete, add walkways, or create new areas around your patio, a renovation can really spice up your backyard design.