http://www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au Although, decorative concrete maintenance is minimal there are a few measures that need to be taken periodically to ensure that your concrete patio, walkway, driveway or pool deck will last a lifetime.

1. Decorative Concrete Maintenance Effective Ways To Make Your Concrete Last! By: Elite Crete Australia www.EliteCreteAustralia.com.au/

2. Although decorative concrete maintenance is minimal there are a few measures that need to be taken periodically to ensure that your concrete patio, walkway, driveway or pool deck will last a lifetime. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

3. Also, using a stiff bristled broom can often be enough to dislodge any foreign particles from the surface. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

4. In more extreme cases, a thorough pressure washing may be necessary to give the concrete surface a good deep clean, removing any debris that may have worked their way deep down into the pores of the concrete slab. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

5. 1200 psi is enough pressure to remove any foreign matter that has been locked into the surface, anymore then this amount could cause potential issues with delamination of the surface. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

6. Do not place potted plants directly on the surface, instead they should be placed on either a plant stand or on a plate. If this step is ignored, the potential for plant fertilizers to discolour the concrete surface is high. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

7. Take note of any cleaning solutions that you use on the surface. Any product that has a high acidic content should be diluted down or not use at all and immediately rinsed off the surface after use. Ammonia based products should be avoided all together. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

8. If tree sap and other sticky material is a problem and leaving frequent deposits on your concrete overlays and a pressure washer will not remove them, you may have some success with the use of Goo Gone or Dissolve It. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

9. Tire skid marks can be removed with carburetor cleaner as well as left over asphalt stains. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

10. Finally, all decorative concrete surfaces should be sealed to prevent foreign matter build up. One must keep in mind that concrete is a porous material filled with millions of tiny channels that have the potential to be filled with foreign matter. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

11. Therefore all exterior concrete surfaces should be sealed prior to being opened up to traffic. At some point in the future you will need to schedule a reseal of your custom concrete. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

12. These sealers not only protect your surface from build-up of grime, they also help to shield from the harmful UV rays. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

13. Increasing slip resistance is also a common concern and can easily be accomplished by adding an aggregate to the concrete sealer. Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au

14. To learn more about decorative concrete, epoxy floors, industrial floor coatings and other concrete systems call 0402 223 793 or visit www. EliteCreteAustralia.com.au Decorative Concrete @ www.elitecreteaustralia.com.au