The first month
- Stay off it for a day; keep cars off for about a week and heavy trucks for about four.
- Don't let sprinklers blast fresh concrete for the first several days.
- Don't put plastic, rugs or planters on it while it cures; they can discolor the surface.
- Avoid sealing until the concrete has cured, typically around a month, unless the curing product used was a sealer.
Sealing
Plain broom-finish driveways and walks don't strictly need sealer, but a penetrating sealer helps repel water, oil and mildew. Stamped and colored concrete does need sealing, every two to three years in Houston sun, to protect the color. In humid weather, film-forming sealers can trap moisture and turn white or cloudy; a breathable sealer and a dry, warm day for application help. Near pools and on slopes, add anti-slip grit.
Cleaning
- Mildew and algae on shaded slabs: a concrete cleaner or diluted oxygen bleach and a stiff brush; rinse well.
- Oil and fluid drips: absorbent first, then a degreaser made for concrete.
- Rust stains from sprinklers or furniture: a cleaner made for rust on concrete.
- Pressure washing: fine at moderate pressure with a fan tip; too close or too strong etches the surface.
Cracks and joints
Hairline cracks are normal. Once a crack opens wider than a pencil lead, seal it with a flexible exterior concrete sealant so water and grass can't get in. Keep the expansion joints between slabs filled; when the old filler rots or falls out, replace it. Water through open joints is how base washes out.
Water at the edges
- Extend downspouts so they don't empty beside a driveway or patio.
- Aim sprinklers at the lawn, not the slab edge.
- Fill washed-out soil along slab edges and keep the grade sloping away.
Things to avoid
- Parking very heavy loads on a thin driveway.
- Rock salt and harsh chemicals on decorative surfaces.
- Metal shovels and plows on stamped concrete.
Questions people ask
Should I seal my driveway?
It isn't required for plain concrete, but a penetrating sealer helps against stains and mildew. Stamped and colored concrete should be sealed every two to three years.
Why did my sealer turn white?
Moisture trapped under a film-forming sealer, common in Houston humidity. It usually needs to be stripped and resealed with a breathable product.
How often should I pressure wash?
Once or twice a year is plenty for most slabs, at moderate pressure.
Can I fill cracks myself?
Yes, with a flexible exterior concrete sealant from a hardware store. Clean the crack first. Wide or moving cracks are worth having looked at.
Keep reading: Concrete repair · Decorative finishes · Pool decks