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Don’t Ignore Your Concrete; It Needs Cleaning Too

Many homeowners believe that concrete is a no-maintenance material. These people mistakenly assume that their concrete driveways and patios don't require regular cleaning and resealing the same way that stone or brick requires cleaning. That's simply not true. While it’s true that concrete is low-maintenance, it’s not maintenance free. Here are the fundamentals to keeping your concrete looking good and performing well for many years to come. Cleaning concrete every so often will prolong its lifespan and keep it looking fresh and new. It's difficult to know when concrete needs cleaning because the grime and dirt accumulate slowly. However, as soon as the concrete is cleaned, the before and after pictures can be compared side-by-side to see a noticeable change. After cleaning, plain concrete appears bright and clean instead of dirty with oil stains. Stamped concrete or other decorative concrete can look like new with a deep cleaning and resealing treatment. Cleaning methods differ for different types of concrete such as interior floors and countertops or exterior slabs. Renew Crew's proprietary 3-step process is optimized for outside use on patios, walkways or driveways made of concrete. It is recommended to clean exterior concrete at least once per year to remove everyday dirt and grime build up and to remove stains and rust. After cleaning, any cracks in the concrete should be repaired to reduce water intrusion through cracks and preserve a structurally sound surface. The joints in the concrete should be resealed when needed. Sealing the joints minimizes water intrusion through the joints, prevents dirt from

 

   

Renew  Crew  of  Nashville  |  (615)  454-­‐2351|  http://nashville.renewcrewclean.com    

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collecting there and discourages weeds from popping up through the joints. Resealing the surface of the concrete repels water and provides dust-proofing. Some sealers have the added benefits of resisting surface abrasion or reducing UV exposure. Your choice of sealant should match the types of conditions the concrete will be exposed to such as dirt and grime, oil, grease, rust, acid, chlorine, fertilizer stains, sprinkler water residue and mildew. A large number of homeowners damage and gouge their concrete every year in an attempt to clean it with rented or borrowed power washers. Grease and oil are difficult to eliminate with cold water alone prompting many users to increase the pressure by using even more water or to attach special nozzles to raise the pressure. What's needed instead is a pre-treatment to loosen the grease so it can be rinsed away at more sensible pressures that won't harm the concrete or surrounding plants. As with most home improvement and maintenance tasks, having the right tools for the job is essential for getting the job done safely and correctly the first time. Call Renew Crew of Nashville the next time it's time to clean your concrete. We have the experience and equipment to ensure that the job is done right.