Concrete Patio
Concrete seems to be the material of choice for most homemakers. The reason for this preference may have something to do with concrete’s strength and durability. In addition, the low maintenance requirement of concrete makes for a very good product choice to pave surfaces.
The material is used for almost every type of surface. In fact, you will find many garage floors, porch, and sidewalks are concrete-covered. Concrete patios are also not uncommon. However, while concrete patios are indeed very durable and can last for a very long time, they do deteriorate over a certain period of time.
In order to overcome this gradual deterioration caused by time and the forces of nature, a little bit of maintenance is needed to increase the lifespan of your concrete patio as well as keep it looking good.
Factors Affecting Quality of Concrete
The durability and long-lasting character of your concrete patio depends on the quality of the concrete. And what affects the quality of concrete? There are actually several factors, all of which contribute to the strength and durability of your concrete patio.
Here are some of them:
* The quality of the concrete mix
* Weather conditions during and shortly after pouring
* Finishing techniques used
Note that there are some mixes for making a concrete patio that are specifically designed to withstand harsher weather conditions. Some are so mixed to make the concrete stronger than others.
In addition to types of concrete mixes, the weather during and after pouring the mix may also affect how strong or durable your concrete patio is going to be. For instance, pouring your concrete mix over the area for your patio during cool, humid weather promotes concrete strength. On the other hand, pouring the mix during hot and dry conditions can induce easy weathering of the concrete patio.
Another important factor to consider is the technique used in the finishing of the concrete. This is important because it goes to the surface strength of the concrete patio. So if you add water to the finish, your task is made easier but you also bear the risk of chipping and scaling over time.
These three things taken together can make the difference between a durable concrete patio and one that gets cracked and chipped after only a year of adverse weather conditions.
Remember that the greatest enemy your concrete patio has is the weather. Rain, snow, sleet, hail – all these things contribute to the deterioration of the concrete. The best you can do is to slow down the deterioration by maximizing all the qualities of concrete that make it such a perfect material for use on the patio.
And for some added measure, use a coast of sealer on your concrete. This will create a barrier over your concrete patio, which prevents the penetration of water and other foreign substance, which could speed up weathering.
