FAQ’s My driveway is pitted and spalled. Does it have to be replaced? Pitting and spalling are signs of a weakened top layer of concrete. If addressed early on, there are resurfacing and sealing systems which will halt the deterioration. If left untreated, moisture and chemicals will penetrate through the damaged surface increasing the deterioration to the point where replacement will eventually be the only option. How often should I reseal my stamped concrete? If you notice any fading of color or sheen of your stamped concrete, or flaking of the existing sealer, it is time to reseal. With proper application of concrete sealers, you can expect two to three years between coats. How do I tell if my house’s exterior needs to be repainted? When you get “that letter” from your HOA … Or … If the siding on your home’s exterior is faded, chalked, discolored, or you able to see the primer beneath the paint, it’s time to repaint your siding. If the paint is flaking or peeling on your window trim, soffits, and fascia, or any raw wood is exposed, it’s time to repaint your trim. If the edges of your garage doors are worn or peeling, they’re dinged and dented and show signs of wear and tear, it’s time to repaint your garage doors. Caulking is an important part of an exterior paint job – it’s your home’s first line of defense against moisture penetration behind windows and siding which can cause major problems down the road. A properly painted house has caulking applied at every dissimilar juncture (i.e. window trim to siding, door jambs to siding, soffit to siding). If there are cracks, holes, or gaps in the caulking, or you see any deterioration, it’s time for new caulking. How often should I repaint my exterior? Colorado’s climate is brutal on exterior coatings. UV rays at altitude, freeze-thaw cycles and temperature extremes all contribute to the degradation of exterior coatings. If you notice excessive chalking or fading of color, cracks in substrates or between substrates, peeling, flaking, etc., it is definitely time to repaint. Southern and western exposures as well as horizontal surfaces are more susceptible and will show signs earlier. Typically, a quality exterior paint job should last five to seven years. Is prep work really that important? Prep work is everything! Even inexpensive coatings, when applied over a properly prepared surface, will outlast the most expensive coatings applied over an improperly prepared surface. What do I have to do to maintain my decorative concrete? If left untreated and not maintained, concrete and decorative concrete will crack, flake, and show signs of pitting and spalling. Once open to moisture penetration, any concrete slab will be subject to freeze-thaw damage and rapid structural degradation. All points for potential moisture penetration (cracks, pitted and spalled areas) must be filled with an appropriate filler, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned, re-colored if necessary, and then resealed with an appropriate sealer. Should I seal my concrete? All concrete surfaces can and should be sealed. Sealers protect concrete from spills and stains, and they prevent moisture from penetrating the slab. An added bonus is sealed concrete is easier to clean and maintain.
