Maintenance & Care for Stamped & Colored Concrete

Stamped and Colored Concrete Maintenance

Reduce costly repairs with some simple maintenance while
keeping your stamped or colored concrete looking like new!

What is stamped, colored concrete?

Understanding the components of Stamped Concrete will help you to care for it

so that your structure remains beautiful and strong.

  • When you install stamped concrete, we can cover an existing base (called an overlay)or we can pour the concrete to create a new foundation. 


  • The concrete slab is then stamped to provide a beautiful pattern for a custom look. 


  • Your primary color choice covers the entire surface and often a secondary color or antiquing is applied to provide highlights, creating the look of light and dark shades.


  • Finally, a sealer is applied - this makes the colors deep and rich, while providing the shine and protecting the entire surface. The sealer is the most important part of your stamped concrete because it is the protection layer. Once this is damaged it will allow water penetration, hazing or white milky spots, color discoloration and ultimately concrete deterioration.


Stamped Concrete Pool Decking
Stamped Concrete Patio Maintenance

Because a pool deck or outdoor patio are subjected to weather and frequent water exposure, we recommend sealing your stamped concrete no less that once every two years.

We use and recommend

Kingdom Products' sealants and waterproofers.

Stamped Concrete Pool Deck

Follow the Maintenance Tips Below to Care for your Stamped Concrete

Always use a gentle cleaner when washing stamped concrete. Try the blue Dawn dish detergent for its gentle, oil removing effects. 

The cleaner will release the dirt that gets trapped in the valleys and crevices of the stamped concrete.

  1. Rinse well with a garden hose on high pressure.
  2. Scrub with a push broom and a small amount of liquid dish soap.
  3. Rinse again, making sure to remove all soap residue.
  • Never use a pressure washer to clean your stamped concrete. Over time the high pressure breaks down the sealer and reduces the protection, the shine and expected life of the sealer.  
  • Avoid pet accidents over the stamped concrete. The urine of the pets is very acidic and tends to stain and destroy the sealer over time.
  • Avoid over-spray from lawn sprinklers. Constant exposure to water on the surface will break down the sealer, create milky white stains (humidity) and eventually expose the color of the concrete to the environment.
  • Avoid salts and deicers. Salts and deicers are very acidic and breakdown the sealer very quickly. We recommend using a concrete and environmentally safe deicer. 
  • Never shovel the snow or ice off the stamped concrete with a metal shovel or blade as it can scratch or chip the sealer and the concrete.
  • If you must put Plant Pots on top of the stamped concrete, be sure they have drip trays or are at least ½ off of the surface to allow the stamped concrete to dry and reduce white, humidity staining under the planter.
  • Avoid watering plants with plant food or fertilizers that have high acidity over stamped concrete because it stains the concrete white and destroys the sealer.
  • The heat from portable fire pits or chimeras can destroy the stamped concrete sealer and create white stains, as well as potentially cause long-term damage to the concrete structure.
  • Don't drag sharp objects or metal over the stamped concrete. Lift patio furniture so that they will not scratch the sealer.
  • Avoid sealing your stamped concrete too often. Good sealers should last 18-24 months. Too many coats of sealer can turn yellow, hiding the original color stain. If this occurs, you will have to re-stain the concrete to restore the finish.
  • Anti-skid products should be applied with sealers to prevent the glossy surface from being slippery when wet.
  • Ensure that your downspouts are not directed towards the stamped concrete surfaces. Constant water can breakdown the sealer and permanently stain the surface of the concrete.

At Concrete Impressions Concrete and Masonry, we can handle the maintenance for you. 

Give us a call for a Free Estimate to restore your Stamped Concrete to its original beauty.


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