FAQ’s & Concrete Care

These are the two most important things you can do to keep your investment looking its best. How often you clean and reseal your concrete depends on weather conditions and the amount of vehicle traffic it receives. Generally, you should reseal a concrete driveway every three to five years, or when the finish begins to show wear. Good commercial sealers are available from concrete material suppliers, which we can recommend, or we can provide the service for you. Always apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or consult with your contractor.

While a sealer helps protect from stains, it’s still a good idea to remove oil, gasoline, grease and other spills as soon as possible. If the concrete does discolor, light pressure washing and certain cleaning chemicals will remove most stains.

Using deicers in the winter can cause surface damage – primarily scaling and spalling due to the constant thawing and refreezing of surface moisture. Products containing ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulphates are especially harmful because they will actually attack the concrete chemically. We recommend you don’t use any deicing salts for the first two winters, since new concrete is more susceptible to the harmful effects of salt. As an alternative, use sand or kitty litter for traction. However, if you need deicing salts for safety purposes, ensure you use a commercial grade concrete sealant that strengthens, hardens and adds density to the concrete, but also contains a silane/siloxane salt barrier that neutralizes harmful chloride ions. We recommend Sealwize LithiSeal Zli71 concrete sealers if deicing salts are necessary.

Although concrete is one of the most durable paving materials for driveway construction, the typical residential driveway isn’t engineered to support heavy vehicles and construction equipment. Avoid the use of metal blades that might scrape or scratch the surface. We also recommend you use care when plowing or shoveling your driveway. Plastic shovels are a better alternative and generally lighter and easier on your back.

Eventually all concrete will develop some cracks over time. At Generations Concrete, we use the best concrete mix for the job to prevent cracks, and we are highly skilled in the way we place our control joints to keep all cracks at a minimum. It is important to note, hairline cracks are not a cause for alarm; and they do not affect the structural integrity of your new concrete. We recommend you always call your estimator if you have any additional concerns. Keep in mind we’re also always available for service after the sale.

Stamped and colored concrete will fade if not properly maintained. Therefore, we recommend resealing your new decorative concrete every few years to keep it looking its best. However, in high traffic areas, it may need to be resealed more often. Keep an eye on it, and use your best judgment.

The type of sealer used on stamped concrete – matte or glossy – will affect its traction. A matte sealer has more slip-resistance while a glossy finish will have less slip-resistance, especially when wet. Both sealers will leave the finished product vibrant and beautiful, but you’ll want to select them with care depending on the area being protected. If that surface is often exposed to water, we recommend you choose matte. For drier areas, you might choose glossy to make it shine.