One of the most common questions that is asked about concrete is “how long will it last?”
If the concrete has been properly installed and sealed, then the concrete can last up to 50 years. Once the concrete has been installed, it is important for your concrete to cure. The curing process allows the concrete to gain strength. The curing stage is usually a month, and then a sealer is applied to protect the concrete.
The most important thing to remember about the concrete is to stay off of it for the first 24 hours after the concrete has been installed. You will want to keep everyone and everything off the concrete for this first 24-hour period. After this initial period, you can walk across the concrete, but you should avoid driving on the concrete for at least a week. Giving your concrete this time will allow it to gain the strength that it needs to last the full 50 years. Once the week is up, you can drive on it, kids can play on it; you can enjoy the driveway. You do want to make sure no heavy vehicles, such as trash trucks, drive on your driveway for a while. It is recommended to keep heavy vehicles off the driveway for at least 30 days. This gives the concrete plenty of time to cure and gain the strength that it needs to hold up.
After the curing time has passed, a sealant will be applied. The only thing that homeowners will have to do to their concrete is a good washing with a power washer or hose several times a year. This will keep the concrete clean of any chemicals and dirt. Weather elements such as rain, snow, and sunlight contains many chemicals that can be deposited on the concrete, but a good cleaning will remove them. The sealant will also protect the concrete from absorbing any of these chemicals.
Concrete is an excellent addition to any home and can last a homeowner 25-50 years. The length of time depends on the concrete, weather conditions, and how well the concrete is maintained by the homeowner. Many homeowners never have to worry about replacing their concrete for the time that they own their home, which is the main reason homeowners choose concrete.
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