Many people do not even think about maintaining their concrete patios, but the fact is that cleaning concrete patios, especially those that have been stamped and colored, is a task that should be performed regularly just like any other home chore. How frequently you perform these tasks depends on how much foot traffic the area receives, as well as the elements to which the patio has been exposed.
Here are a few tips to help you preserve patios made of concrete in Santa Rosa, CA long into the future:
- Rinse off debris: This is the task that can be performed the most frequently. If your patio is starting to get caked with dirt and debris, simply rinse it off. This ensures there will be less of a chance of the debris eating into the sealant or into the concrete itself, which leads to stains.
- Use soap: If you notice there are spots in your patio that aren’t coming off with a simple rinse, you can actually use soap to help get those spots out. A small amount of liquid dishwashing detergent can go a long way toward removing stubborn grime from the surface of a patio. Once the soap and water has been applied, scrub over the area in question with a push broom, which has just the right amount of friction to pull up the material causing the spot.
- Use pressure washers: For even more embedded stains, you can use a pressure washer. Make sure you completely understand how to use the tool and the settings that you should put it on—the last thing you want is to completely ruin your patio. Pressure washers, when used correctly, are outstanding tools for cleaning exterior surfaces on the ground or on buildings.
- Reseal regularly: If you have a sealed concrete patio, a good general rule of thumb is to reseal the surface every two or three years. If you wait any longer, the colors of the sealant will begin to fade. However, sealant should only be applied if the air temperature is over 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Surface temperature of the patio, meanwhile, should be under 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, your best bet is to reseal the patio in slightly cooler spring and fall temperatures, or in the morning or evening in the summer months. Apply multiple coats as needed to get the best possible results when resealing.
- Use the right tools: When you reseal your patio, you should only do so using a 1” nap roller. An anti-skid material will not transfer through a sprayer. Additionally, you should focus on resealing small sections at a time. Try starting off with two foot by four foot sections. This will ensure you will not miss a spot while working.
Excellent patio maintenance can keep your patio looking great for many years to come. For more information about the steps needed to accomplish patio maintenance tasks, contact Sikes Asphalt Group Inc. with your questions about concrete in Santa Rosa, CA.
