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How to Make Your Concrete Patio And Driveways Last for Decades

If you're like most people, you probably enjoy spending time in your outdoor space. It's a great place to relax and catch some sun. But if you want your deck to last for decades, you need to take care of it properly. In this blog post, we will discuss some expert tips and tricks that will help you keep your patio looking great for years to come!

What are concrete patios?

Concrete is a durable and versatile building material that can create surfaces, structures, foundations, or floors. When you consider adding a patio to your outdoor living space or commercial property, concrete is the most popular choice for homeowners because it offers many benefits.

Patios require little maintenance, but they need to be taken care of properly to look amazing for decades and increase the value of your home.

What are the advantages of concrete patios?

Patios offer many benefits, including:

Strength and durability: Concrete is a solid material that can withstand heavy loads without cracking or breaking. It also has a long lifespan when the concrete project is installed correctly.
Low maintenance costs: Patios require very little maintenance, just periodic washing with soap and water to keep them looking new.

Versatility: concrete can be molded into any shape or size, perfect for irregularly shaped yards. It can also be stamped or stained to look like other materials like stone, brick, or wood.
Affordability: Patios are one of the most affordable types of concrete services available.
Weather resistance: Concrete is not affected by weather conditions like rain, snow, or wind and will last for many years in any climate.

An inviting patio area of a suburban home with stone pavers. There's a set of outdoor furniture that includes a wicker sofa and chairs with vibrant red cushions, a coffee table, and a fire pit. To the side is a barbecue grill under a protective cover. The home features beige siding, white framed French doors and a window, and a classic black shingle roof. The setting appears ready for a cozy outdoor gathering.

How can you prevent concrete patio and driveway deterioration?

There are a few things that you can do to help prevent your custom concrete construction, driveway, or patio from deteriorating prematurely. Here are some tips from Raleigh concrete contractors to make your project to be visually appealing and last for decades:

Regularly clean your driveway and patio with a power washer to remove dirt, debris, or stains. Sweep your driveway and patio daily.

When cleaning your driveway or patio with water, be sure to angle the water away from any cracks because this can cause them to expand faster. It would help if you also made it a point to clean out any debris lodged in these cracks.

Inspect your concrete patio or driveway for any cracks or signs of deterioration regularly and fix them as soon as possible.

Avoid using salt on your patio in the wintertime. Salt can quickly cause cracks and other damage to your concrete.

Inspect regularly and fix any cracks in the surface as soon as they appear. Allowing even small cracks to persist will only lead to further damage down the road.

Seal your concrete patio or driveway as soon as it is installed. This will ensure that water cannot penetrate the surface and cause damage to the substrate below. Some people wait years before sealing their driveways, but this only leads to more extensive repairs down the road at a much higher cost than if you had sealed it sooner.

Install drainage solutions to prevent water from pooling on your driveway or patio for extended periods. Water that sits on concrete surfaces can lead to cracks over time, so it's essential to make sure rainwater is draining correctly away from your driveway and patio. You may want to consider slope design or installing a perforated pipe system that drains water to the storm sewer system.

Choose a suitable surface for your driveway or patio. If you have a gravel driveway, keep it free of excessive amounts of sand and dirt, which can accelerate the deterioration process. In addition, use a sealer on your concrete driveway or patio every few years to protect it from weather elements and staining.

By following these tips, you can help prolong the life of your concrete driveway or patio for many years to come.

concrete stairs leading between two patios

What are some common concrete patio repairs?

The most common type of concrete slab repair is crack filling, which involves injecting a flexible polyurethane material into cracks to seal them off from water and other outside elements.

You can also have your old concrete driveway or patio repaired by having a layer of fresh concrete poured over the top of the old surface. This is often done when the custom concrete driveway or patio has experienced significant deterioration, and a complete tear-up and replacement is not feasible or affordable.

Concrete patios are a great way to add extra living space to your Raleigh NC home, but it's essential to ensure that they are adequately taken care of to extend their lifespan. By following the tips above, you can help keep your concrete driveway or patio looking great for many years to come!

Conclusion

So, if you want to make sure your patio lasts for decades, make sure you follow these expert tips and tricks. And if you don't have the time or energy to do it yourself, be sure to give us a call. We would love to help turn your backyard into an oasis that you can enjoy for years to come!

Call us now for a free estimate!