Concrete Tips

Decorative Concrete has distinct advantages over other pavements. When it is given the correct care and maintenance, your new or resurfaced concrete will maintain its colour and appeal for years. Your new or resurfaced decorative concrete is treated with an acrylic sealer to help produce an attractive surface that is easier to clean and maintain than unsealed concrete. The sealer works by blocking the pores of the concrete, providing a protective layer that helps stop dirt from becoming ingrained and helps achieve a more consistent look.

Acrylic sealers will wear over time, however, if well maintained you will maximise the lifetime and reduce the frequency of resealing. Under normal conditions resealing may be required every 18-24 months. To ensure the maximum lifetime of your sealer and to keep your decorative surface looking like new it is recommended that periodic maintenance be carried out, maintenance is as simple as removing foreign material and cleaning from time to time.

home with concrete floor

MAINTAINING YOUR DECORATIVE SURFACE

There is a large range of uses for exposed aggregate, making it the ideal surfacing choise for driveways, walkways, alfresco & much more. CoastCrete will work with you to select the perfect design and colours for your project, matching the new materials to the surroundings of your property to make this feature bring new life to space.

There are many advantages to exposed or washed aggregate, such as:

Cleaning Methods:

  • For Driveways, Pathways, Verandahs and Patio’s, sweeping off leaves and grass cuttings as they may stain
  • Wash surface regularly to remove loose dirt, you can use a mild detergent
  • Remove spillages, use an absorbent material or mop up the excess with a rag. Treat with a suitable degreasing compound A.S.A.P
  • Reseal your surface within 24 months to maintain the Works Warranty
  • DO NOT use any strong solvents on the surface

Things to Avoid:

  • Solvent-based or chlorine-based cleaners
  • Car washing on the pavement as some detergents and waxes can affect the sealer
  • Oil or petroleum-based product spills
  • Excessive leave or organic litter (may stain)
  • Traffic on abrasive materials
  • Excessive dirt ingress

RESEALING

Exposing the aggregate

If your pavement looks ‘faded’, patchy or dull when dry but appears ok when wet – it is time to reseal. A simple test to determine if your pavement is due for resealing is to wet it. If the surface darkens and appears more consistent, then resealing may be required. Always reseal with the appropriate sealer to suit your decorative surface, and to only apply to properly prepared and dry surfaces.

THE MOST COMMON ISSUES WITH CONCRETE

Excessive Dirt Deposit on Concrete

Cleaning dirt from concrete is an easy but potentially time-consuming task. The best method for this is by using a power wash.

Faded Concrete

Concrete can look faded due to age at the time, but if your surface looks perfectly normal when wet, this means that a reseal may be required.

Oil or Petrol Spills on Concrete

If you’ve suffered an oil leak or petrol spill on your driveway or patio, here are some easy steps to take to clean it up.

  • Small stains: Although unsightly they can be removed with a bit of hot water, soap, steel brush and of course, a little bit of elbow grease.
  • Larger stains: These may require some more tough cleaning products such as a degreaser. This powerful cleaner removed even the toughest stains and marks that may be on your concrete surface. Make sure if you use any products like this you use protective gear such as gloves, goggles and if there are fumes, a breathing mask.

Rubber or Tyre Marks on Concrete Surfaces

A common issue on driveways and inside the garage, it doesn’t have to be a struggle. Removing tyre marks is not a difficult task. Ideally, you’d use a concrete degreaser on the are and allow this to sit for a little while. Before scrubbing with a stiff brush, this should lift the marks enough that a power washer will remove them. If not, repeat the degreaser until gone.

White Patches

Whitening may occur from time to time due to various reasons. Under normal circumstances, whitening is not a common occurrence, but if it does happen, please contact your applicator for assistance.

Cracks in Concrete

Most cracks are non-structural and best left alone, as repairs are often difficult and unsightly. These cracks are unrelated to the decorative surface and are due to the nature of concrete. Structural cracking is normally wider than 1.5mm and if necessary should be assessed by a qualified structural engineer

Honed and Polished Aggregate

GET IN TOUCH WITH US

Give us a call on (08) 6117 5746 for a no obligation chat about your next project or send a message and we’ll get back to your shortly.

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