Creative Concrete - Marin County San Francisco bay area Concrete Contractor


415-806-7002
Lic. No. 918427
photo of a well maintained stamped concrete surface

Ask the Concrete Contractor
How to Maintain Stamped Concrete Surfaces

Is concrete slippery when it rains?
It can be, depending on what it is sealed with. If you have a special situation where this is a concern, let us know when we provide you with an estimate, as there are a number of ways to address this issue.

I have a stamped concrete driveway - how do I clean it?
Stamped concrete driveways can best be cleaned with a pressure washer using a cleaner rated for concrete driveway use. The same holds true for concrete walkways and concrete patios. If you prefer, you can hire a professional pressure washing contractor.

Can I use any kind of abrasives to scrub out hard to remove stains, tar or gum?
Yes, there are products that will clean hard to remove stains. Visit your local masonry yard and ask them for the right product for use on stamped concrete.

Should I apply a sealer to my stamped concrete driveway?
Yes, after it is pressure washed you should always seal the driveway with an appropriate sealant as recommended by your local masonry yard.

Once the initial job is done, and after pressure washing, how often should the concrete be re-sealed?
You shuld re-seal any outdoor concrete surfaces at least once per year.

If I can apply a concrete sealer, how should I do it?
We recommend using a Hudson Sprayer to apply sealant to your concrete surfaces. Hudson sprayers are sold at many home centers and online.

Can I apply concrete sealer when it's very cold outside?
Applying concrete sealer when the temperature is below 50 degrees is not recommended.

Can I apply concrete sealer when it's very hot outside?
Applying concrete sealer when the temperature is aboe 90 degrees is not recommended.

How many coats of sealer should I apply?
As professional concrete contractors, we recommend at least two coats minimum. Wait 4 hours before applying 2nd coat. Of course, we also rrecommend that you read and follow the instructions that come with the particular sealant you've purchased.

Should I hire a professional to apply the sealer or can I do it?
We would highly recommend that a professional contractor apply the sealer to make sure that it is applied evenly.

I have about 1,000 sq. feet of stamped concrete surface - how much sealer do I need?
5 gallons of sealer should be sufficient for a 1,000 square foot stamped concrete surface.

Can I patch a cracked stamped concrete surface?
No, it is not advised to patch a crack in stamped concrete. Concrete naturally cracks and it is important to understand that. If cracking is something that is of concern, please talk with us about increasing the mix of the concrete to limit cracking prior to the job.

But a friend said it's cheaper to just patch it.
The only way to properly patch stamped concrete is to replace the problem section. You would need to remove that section of concrete and redo it. If color is involved it would need to be a least 1 square yard.

Do I need a professional to do the patchwork or can I do it myself?
We highly recommend that you hire a professional concrete contractor any time you need to have a stamped concrete surface repaired.