Easy and quick to use, stamped concrete makes it possible to create beautiful walkways and aesthetic patios thanks to the mixture of concrete and print. It is becoming more and more trendy in Montreal, but some homeowners are wondering about its durability.
Indeed, the Quebec climate is difficult and ends up deteriorating many materials. It’s hard to imagine that stamped concrete is an exception…
But inconvenience can be avoided with regular and meticulous maintenance of stamped concrete. So how to delay its wear and deterioration?
Our concrete crack experts give you their advice for a successful maintenance.
How to maintain stamped concrete?
Like traditional concrete, printmaking offers decades of satisfaction if properly installed and maintained. You will not regret spending a few hours a year taking care of maintaining the quality of the material, especially since it is not very complicated.
Here are some tips for cleaning and maintaining your stamped concrete to preserve its beauty and extend its lifespan:
Maintain stamped concrete in 3 simple steps
Consistency and discipline are essential to keep your stamped concrete in condition for several decades. Thus, a light maintenance is enough:
- Rinse it well with a high-pressure garden hose,
- Rub the concrete with a broom brush and a small amount of liquid dish soap,
- Rinse again, making sure to remove any soap residue.
If the garden hose combined with the brush is not effective, you can also use a pressure washer on resistant stains. But do not adjust the pressure too hard, otherwise you risk damaging the sealant.
It is advisable to clean spills of oil or grease or any other substance that may damage the surface immediately so as not to let them soak into the concrete.
Apply the best sealant to bring stamped concrete back to life
In addition to water cleaning, applying sealant is a great idea, although it should be less frequent than the water cleaning presented above. We advise to seal the stamped concrete every 2 to 3 years, during a day that is neither very hot nor rainy.
The role of the sealant is to prevent the ingress of dirt, chemicals, oil, grease and other substances. Sealants also make concrete easier to clean and prevent fading due to UV exposure.
Why protect stamped concrete?
Unlike the climatic situation in regions further south, the greater Montreal area is facing many episodes of freeze and thaw. This situation can cause damage to the concrete floors of your home, especially since they are particularly exposed to the weather. The fact is that concrete has a certain sensitivity to temperature variations. Warm temperatures can cause concrete to expand, while cold weather can cause it to contract.
Over the years, this alternation phenomenon can lead to the formation of cracks. However, a concrete floor repair specialist will be able to seal these cracks if they are taken care of quickly.
Significant changes in humidity caused by unstable weather and heating can also create some cement expansion, which can cause cracks. Frequent changes in temperature and humidity are also a potential problem, and only regular maintenance can keep this problem at bay in the long term.
How to protect stamped concrete during winter in Quebec?
Avoid using de-icing salts on stamped concrete, especially if the siding is newly installed.
In winter, stamped concrete sealants can deteriorate quickly in 2 cases:
- When de-icing salt is applied,
- When they receive drops of cars parked on concrete.
The damage is not caused directly by the salts themselves, but by the freeze/thaw cycles they cause. So adopt these best practices when temperatures drop!
What to do if the stamped concrete is cracked? Contact us!
Although concrete is not an impenetrable block of kryptonite, it is certain that its deterioration can be greatly delayed by regular maintenance. In any case, the Montreal winter, although it makes life difficult for the inhabitants of the city and their concrete floors, does not give gifts and maintenance is not always sufficient.
Thus, if you are already a victim of cracks in the stamped concrete of your home, or if this is the case in the coming months, do not hesitate to contact Fissure Expert. Concrete repair is well mastered by our team, and it is often a necessary step in order to be able to revive your walkways made of concrete.
