Many of us tend to ignore the exteriors of our homes when it comes to things like renovations and home improvement projects, simply because there is always something more to do, fix or improve on the insides of our houses. But is it prudent to ignore the surfaces and materials that make up the outsides of our homes, or does the expression "a stitch in time saves nine" apply just as well there as it does inside of our homes? We regularly check and maintain things like pipes, ceilings, wiring and flooring to make sure they’re not suffering structural damage – both for the sake of our safety and our property values – and it should be the same with our exterior surfaces like concrete. Either we pay attention to the principle behind that old adage, or we pay the consequences. You may think that you are saving yourself money and hassle by not dealing with cracks in your concrete as they appear, but the truth is that in order to serve our best interests in the long term, however, we need to analyze the issue of benefit versus cost.

One of the first things anyone notices about a home when looking either to buy or to sell it is its curb appeal. If the home’s exterior has been maintained well, then a buyer will proceed inside to consider the appearance of the interior of the home. Conversely, if a potential buyer drives up to a property that has not been maintained well on the outside, then they are very likely to make a quick exit.

Photo source: sealtech.ca

As a homeowner, you’re not only doing your present self a favour by taking good care of your concrete surfaces – you’re also doing a good deed for yourself down the line, if you someday wish to consider selling your home. If you want the outside of your house to look good – for potential buyers or even just for yourself – then protecting it from the elements is an essential step. Weather is a relatively predictable force, and so is the damage that it causes. If your home is located in a hot climate, then the oxidation from the sun will cause concrete to chip or flake unless a sealant has been applied properly. The same concept applies if your home is located in a cold climate. An unsealed concrete area will allow water to penetrate the surface. The water inside will freeze and thaw and cause damage to the surface through shifting, heaving, or cracking. Commercial concrete sealing will prevent basic weather damage, and lengthen the life of exterior concrete surfaces.

If the damage has already been done, then all hope is not necessarily lost – in many cases, there is almost always a way to fix it. A professional service can come in and pressure wash your concrete surfaces, as well as using special chemicals to scrub away any stains that might have accumulated there over time. Then they can proceed with the standard commercial concrete sealing, which will help to protect the surface for years to come. Improving the appearance of the exterior landscape outside your home will prove beneficial to your overall happiness and satisfaction with your property whether or not you’re planning on offering it up for sale.

When hiring a company to install sealant to exterior concrete surfaces, make sure to check their references. A company with a proven reputation for client satisfaction, like SealTech [Sealtech.ca/reasons-choose-sealtech-commercial-interlock-stone-sealing-needs/] is worth finding. Nothing guarantees a good result like experience. If an exterior concrete surface has been properly sealed, then it should be protected for at least three years and potentially up to five years before needing more attention; it helps to ask your company for before and after pictures of their past projects in order to make sure they will really be able to do a good job. Once you’ve found someone reliable to seal your concrete, the hard part is over – and you can rest easy knowing you’ve done the right thing for yourself and your home!