How to look after stamped concrete

One of the reasons people choose stamped concrete is that it is low maintenance once it is sealed. Low maintenance is not no maintenance, though. Three habits do most of the work.

Wash it about three times a year

Dirt, leaves and winter grit hold moisture against the surface and slowly dull the sealer. A garden hose, mild soap and a stiff broom are enough. Spring, mid-summer and fall is an easy schedule to remember.

Reseal every two years

The sealer is what protects the colour and keeps water out of the surface. That matters most in Calgary, where the same slab can freeze and thaw many times in one winter. When the surface starts to look flat or patchy, it is usually the sealer wearing thin, not the concrete underneath.

Keep it clear of snow

Clear snow rather than letting it sit and melt into the slab. A plastic shovel is kinder to the sealer than a metal edge.

A quick checklist

• Wash in spring, summer and fall
• Reseal every second year
• Shovel snow instead of leaving it to melt
• Call us if the colour looks faded or uneven