The UK isn’t exactly known for its good weather, particularly here in the Northwest of England. This is particularly true when Winter comes around, with the weather able to take its toll on our property and driveways are no exception. In this article we hope to give you all the information you’ll need to maintain your pattern imprinted concrete driveway or patio and make sure that it keeps looking as good as new through all seasons.
Pattern imprinted concrete is one of the most durable surfaces available today. It has low maintenance costs and requires very little upkeep over time. This means that you won’t have to worry about spending hours each year repairing or replacing your surface. You will also save money because pattern imprinted concrete is more affordable than other materials like block paving or Indian stone. However, that doesn’t mean that it needs no maintenance. Most of the methods discussed in this fit into two categories: they are either low effort tasks, or they will only need doing very rarely.
Because pattern imprinted concrete is sealed, a jet washer can be used without causing damage to the surface. This allows for easy cleaning and maintenance of your driveway. However, it is also worth noting that should any of the procedures described below be necessary, it is highly recommended to jet wash your pattern imprinted concrete first. This ensures that no dirt or moss gets underneath sealants, etc.
Pattern imprinted concrete is a beautiful and durable surface that can be used in many different applications. However, just like any other material, it will need to be maintained over time. Here are some signs that your pattern imprinted concrete driveway may need resealing soon:
- You’ll notice small cracks forming on the surface of your driveway or patio which will eventually lead to larger cracks if they aren’t repaired right away.
- Areas where the colour has faded from being exposed to sunlight too long without protection from UV rays can also be a sign.
We recommend resealing your pattern imprinted concrete every 3-5 years depending on how much foot traffic and sun exposure your property gets each day. The more often you seal your pattern imprinted concrete surfaces, the longer they will last before needing repairs or replacement.
Your concrete driveway is likely to crack for two main reasons: it has been left too long between resealing, or the worst case is that expansion joints haven’t been done correctly. If it is the latter, then this is something you will need to contact your installer about. To get an idea of the proper procedure, you may find this article here showing Divine Landscapes tried and tested process useful. However, it is much more likely to be from not resealing often enough.
If cracks have formed because of not resealing often enough, then this can be fixed using a repair compound. These effectively fill in the cracks, with a mix of colour tint and sealer painted over to make the crack disappear. For more advice on which repair compounds, colour tints and sealers to use, see our article here. If this seems like something you’d rather let somebody else handle, then contact Divine Landscapes for driveway maintenance services.
Whilst the UK isn’t the sunniest place in the world, the British sun can still have a bleaching effect on pattern imprinted concrete over a long time. As a result, you may notice that your driveway is faded and be wondering what you can do to fix it. The process is much the same as for resealing your concrete driveway surface, however by mixing colour tints into the sealer then we restore the original vibrance.
Based in Manchester, Divine Landscape Solutions are specialist installers of pattern imprinted concrete driveways and pattern imprinted concrete patios for both domestic and commercial clients. If you are based in Greater Manchester, or elsewhere in the North West, please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information. If you want to talk to us, call us on 01618853661 or email us via divinelandscapes@outlook.com.
