Even Florida Concrete Needs Spring Cleaning
I know what you're thinking - Brad, we don't even have a real winter down here. And yeah fair enough, we're not dealing with road salt and freeze-thaw cycles like the guys up north. But we've got our own issues and spring is the perfect time to deal with them.
1. Pressure Wash Everything
Florida humidity plus shade equals mold and mildew. By spring your driveway and patio probably have that lovely green tint going on. A good pressure wash at around 3000 PSI with a surface cleaner attachment will take care of it. If you've got really stubborn black mold stains, hit it with some sodium hypochlorite (basically pool shock) diluted down, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse.
2. Check for Cracks
Walk your concrete and look for new cracks. Even down here in Sarasota we get some temperature swings - it was 45 degrees a few mornings back in January and then 85 a week later. That expansion and contraction can open up hairline cracks. Small ones you can fill with a concrete crack filler from Home Depot or Lowes. Anything wider than a quarter inch, give us a call.
3. Reseal If Needed
A good sealer lasts about 2-3 years in Florida sun. If water stops beading up on your concrete, it's time to reseal. I like a good acrylic sealer for most residential stuff - gives it a nice sheen and protects against staining. For driveways I prefer a penetrating sealer because it doesn't get slippery when wet.
4. Deal With the Tree Roots
This is a BIG one around here. Oak roots will lift a sidewalk panel like it's nothing. If you see a panel starting to lift, address it sooner rather than later because it only gets worse and it becomes a trip hazard.
Need help with any of this? We do repair and maintenance work too, not just new pours. Call us at (941) 374-8674 - we're always happy to take a look.