Concrete Care Guide

With a small amount of seasonal maintenance your concrete can last for years to come and keep more of its initial color and shine.

General Recommendations

• If possible, do not place your concrete directly on soil as it will wick moisture from the ground up into the piece and increase the rate of crumbling due from freeze-thaw cycles. Instead separate your concrete from the ground with a rock, paver, wood or mulch.
• If possible, bring your concrete in in the winter especially for detailed pieces where water may collect. This will remove the risk of water pooling from rain or melting snow refreezing and popping sections of the concrete and/or paint due to ice expansion.
• If possible, before putting your concrete out for the season we recommend spraying it with a clear gloss sealer see preseason instructions for details.

Preseason Instructions

1. Make sure your concrete is free from dirt, dust or other debris by rinsing with a hose and/or wiping it down with a damp cloth. Check nooks and crannies for buildup and remove if possible, the cleaner the piece the better the sealer will stick, and you do not want to seal in debris that would be harder to remove later.
2. Take your piece to a well-ventilated area that you don't mind getting spray on - outside on a piece of cardboard works well provided it isn't too windy
3. Spray the piece with even light coats of sealer letting it dry between coats and avoiding runs. We recommend at least 2 coats to start with but use your best judgement when applying sealer and don't go too overboard. DO NOT spray the bottom of the piece as concrete must be allowed to "breath" through the exposed bottom of the piece.
4. Wait for the piece to dry and place it in your desired location.

Other Notes

Concrete is made with exterior paints, stains, and sealer but nothing can withstand the harsh rays of the sun and cold northern winters forever. These instructions are only provided as a reference of what has worked best for us and are not a guarantee of product longevity which is affected by a variety of factors.