Yes, you do have to maintain your concrete! The good news is it’s not as costly nor as time consuming as other home maintenance chores.

Cleaning your concrete periodically is the best and simplest task you can do to keep it looking its best.  Keep landscaping chemicals off your concrete in the spring and summer, and completely remove snow and ice in the winter.  If you have decorative concrete, use a snow shovel with rubber protected edges or a plastic blade to keep it from gouging the finished surface.

Avoid using any deicing chemicals that contain ammonium nitrates and ammonium sulfates, which aggressively attack and deteriorate concrete. Sand or kitty litter is an environmentally friendly alternative to provide traction on icy surfaces.

Remove spills, such as oil, gasoline, grease and other stains from your concrete as soon as possible.  Most stains can be cleaned with dishwashing soap or Simple Green and a nylon bristle brush.  For tougher stains, use a cleaning product specifically designed for the stain and for use on concrete.

Moisture is concrete’s enemy.  In order to prevent freeze/thaw damage, a quality penetrating sealer should be applied to provide protection.  Sealer should then be reapplied every other year.