Concrete Care
A little routine maintenance keeps decorative concrete looking new for decades. Here's exactly what to do — and what to avoid — to protect color, sealer, control joints, and the surface itself through every season and freeze-thaw cycle.
The ACD Maintenance Guide
Keep Your Concrete LookingGreat for Decades!
The First Year
New concrete is at its most vulnerable during the first 12 months. These rules protect it through the cure.
24–48 hours: foot traffic only
7 days: Patio furniture is okay
14 days: Light suv’s and trucks are okay to park
30 days: Fully cured. Wait this long before sealing driveways
First winter: no de-icers of any kind — sand only for traction
First year: skip pressure washing above 2,000 PSI
Sealing
Sealing protects broomed surfaces from moisture and salt intrusion on driveways.
We use penetrating sealers on driveways and broom finished surfaces to repel the salt and brine that drips off cars during the winter.
Stamped and colored concrete have a sealer applied at finish and should only be needed every 3-4 years. These are acrylic or epoxy sealers.
Hazy or worn finish? Time to re-coat.
Routine Cleaning
We highly advise to wash the surface of your driveway after every winter storm the first day it is above freezing. This washes the salt and brine from the surface, prolongs the sealer, and will prevent popping or scaling of the surface.
Regular cleaning prevents buildup and keeps colored concrete looking saturated. Most of it takes minutes.
Blow off surface weekly — leaves and grit dulls the sealer over time.
Rinse with a garden hose for routine washing.
Pressure wash under 3,000 PSI with a fan tip, 12+ inches from the surface.
Never use wire brushes, muriatic acid, or harsh degreasers on sealed concrete.
Stain Handling
Different stains call for different treatments. Acting fast almost always wins.
Oil & grease: Apply oil dry from your local auto parts store. Work into surface with your foot over a piece of scrap cardboard. A concrete safe cleaner-degreaser can be purchased from our retailers.
Rust (furniture, sprinklers, fertilizer): Consult a professional. Do not use any chemicals, cleaners or bleach.
Leaf and mulch stains: Pressure wash surface and allow nature to wash away stain.
Tire marks are common on new concrete and can not be removed. Just like a bicycle skid mark, they will wear off over time.
Wine, food, drink spills: rinse right away with water — sealer does most of the work.
Winter Care
Kansas City freeze-thaw cycles are tough on concrete. A few habits make a big difference.
No rock salt, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride — they all eat the surface and will cause popping and scaling after a freeze.
Sand provides traction without chemical damage.
Keep gutters and drains clear so water doesn't pool and freeze on the slab.
Plastic shovels only — metal scratches the surface and can damage the sealer.
No de-icers at all are ever recommended but there are concrete safe ice melts that can be used after a good penetrating sealer is applied.
Finish-Specific Notes
Different finishes have different rules. Match the care to what you actually have.
Broom finish: Seal before first winter and reseal every 3rd winter.
Stamped concrete: reseal every 3-4 years.
Stained or integrally colored: reseal regularly with same sealer applied at finish.
Polished interior floors: dust mop daily, damp mop with a cleaner provided.
Exposed aggregate: light pressure wash is fine; sealer protects the small stones.
Pool decks with chlorine or salt systems: rinse with fresh water after heavy splash days. Reseal every 2 years.
When to Call Us
Some signs mean it's time for a professional look. If you spot any of these, reach out — most issues are easier and cheaper to address early.
Cracks wider than 1/4" or growing over time.
Slabs that are pumping, tilting, or settling unevenly.
Sealer turning milky, peeling, or wearing in patches.
White powdery buildup (efflorescence) that doesn't rinse off.
Any spalling — surface chips, pitting, or flaking.
Significant color fading or blotching from sun exposure.
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View GalleryI met Matt Thompson (Aesthetic Concrete) through a referral from a neighbor. I was very impressed by the quality of concrete work done for a very reasonable price. Matt has a tremendous knowledge of the business, which made it very easy to turn the vision of my patio into a reality. The process was completed before the allotted time and my family couldn’t be happier with the end result. I definitely recommend Aesthetic Concrete for any project.
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