You Should Be Cleaning and Sealing Your Concrete! Here's Why

When you think of concrete, you’re likely thinking that it is this constantly outdoors and made of strong material that withstands the elements year-round. You’re right, it is strong and durable, and it does weather the elements all the time. This doesn’t mean that it is indestructible. It also doesn’t mean that you don’t need to treat and care for your concrete. Treatments and cleanings of even the most durable things can help them last longer and hold up better.

So what should you do with your concrete? Sealing is the route to go. Can you do it yourself? Should you seek out a professional to do the service for you?

The seal on concrete is important to make sure that its longevity is preserved and secured. As strong as you think concrete is, it is incredibly susceptible to damage from water. Unsealed concrete absorbs moisture, which in warmer climates is especially not ideal and goes largely unnoticed. With a colder climate, however, that moisture can cause damage as it freezes due to the water expanding and causing stress on your concrete, creating stress cracks and fractures which can carry beyond just where the moisture originally was. This leaves you with damages in the spring which will only continue to grow throughout the year and the subsequent cold months to come.

So while you think that the strength of the concrete is the concrete itself, that mainly applies to the concrete's weight-bearing capacities and durability of the concrete to withstand wear and tear. If not sealed properly, the concrete is weakened and can become vulnerable to rain and snow. Another issue concrete can have due to that water weakness is an affinity to grow mold and mildew, which is not something you want to have on your property if you can help it. This isn’t as damaging to your concrete's longevity, however, it is an eyesore and it’s not great to have near the rest of your house, especially if you have mold allergies or there are sensitive things near your concrete that can also get mildewed. Cleaning this mold and mildew off and sealing the concrete properly can help this from becoming a repeating problem to deal with.

With proper cleaning and sealing of your concrete, you’re not only preventing costly bills to repair or replace the damages that untreated concrete will inevitably cause you, but you’re also adding value to your house if you’re looking to rent, sell, or lease spaces out to anyone else. Well-treated concrete with proper sealing and cleaning services is what will look best for years to come!

The task of cleaning and sealing your concrete can seem daunting if you’ve never done it before. Don’t worry– that’s what we’re here for!