Concrete is used in many different ways to give us homes, sidewalks, patios, parking lots and more. Thank heavens we have it since it is the most used manmade material on Earth. Even though it is used all over in almost every aspect of our lives, there may be some things about concrete you don’t know yet. From how to protect it to how to keep it clean, Big Moose Pressure Cleaning is here to share some quick facts about concrete.
Conventional Concrete is Porous
When you think about concrete, you should think about it as you would a sponge. It will absorb moisture when it is exposed. In fact, concrete is known to expand by almost 9% when it freezes and your concrete is wet. This is what ultimately causes cracking and any other surface damage that you may notice on your concrete. There are ways to avoid this and prevent this from happening to your concrete. Finding a professional concrete sealing company to put down a weather guard sealer on your concrete will keep it protected from all that moisture it is waiting to soak up and keep your concrete looking like the day it was poured.
Fire & Water Resistance of Concrete
When it comes to withstanding harsh elements, there is nothing better than concrete. In fact, it is nearly completely fireproof. That is why after a house fire, you notice that the only thing left standing is the concrete foundation much of the time. Also, if there are structures that are built underwater for bridges and other applications, they are always built out of concrete because it will withstand the constant submersion.
Concrete & Cement are Different
Have you ever heard someone refer to the sidewalk as a cement sidewalk? Or their back patio as a cement patio? Let us set the record straight that cement and concrete are not the same thing. Concrete is made up of 60-65% aggregates like sand, crushed stone and gravel, 15-20% water and only 10-15% cement. The cement and water will mix and bind together the aggregates that harden. So next time you go to call a sidewalk a cement sidewalk, remember cement is only one of the ingredients in that concrete sidewalk you are walking on.
Concrete Has Been Around for Years
The use of concrete dates back as far as 5,000 year to ancient Egyptians. This amazing material has helped to build everything from pyramids of ancient civilizations to our floors, patios and walkways today. It is even use to create works of art. Humanity has found useful ways for this material and continues to do so more than ever today.
Concrete Cleaning, Power Washing & More in McDonough, Barnesville, Fayetteville, Covington, Locust Grove, Griffin, Stockbridge & Social Circle Georgia
If you have concrete surfaces on your property, one of the best ways to clean and maintain them is with pressure washing. It is important that the process is done well to avoid causing permanent damage to your concrete surface. Big Moose Pressure Cleaning offers superior concrete cleaning services. Call us today!
