Concrete Care & Warranty Guidelines
Thanks for choosing RG Hendricks Concrete Construction. We’re proud to be part of your project, and we want your concrete to last as long as possible. On this page, you’ll find practical tips to care for your concrete—and what to expect when it comes to our warranty.
Concrete Care Instructions
Concrete is tough, but it still needs some attention—especially in the first few weeks. Follow these steps to help your concrete cure properly and hold up for the long haul:
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We know it’s tempting to check it out up close, but fresh concrete needs a full day to cure before any foot traffic. We’ve even seen chipmunk prints appear just a few hours after finishing—cute, but not ideal for your patio. Keep people, pets, and paws off it for 24 hours.
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Concrete keeps gaining strength for weeks after it’s poured. Driving on it too soon can cause cracks or damage the surface—especially under those heavy tires. Park on the street and give it the two-week break it deserves.
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We know you're excited to get the grill and chairs out—but give your concrete a little breathing room. Wait at least 7 days before setting out patio furniture, planters, or anything heavy. When you do, avoid dragging things across the surface (especially metal legs)—those early scratches can stick around for good.
Bonus tip: if you're placing furniture with sharp or narrow legs, use pads or rubber feet to spread the weight and protect the surface long-term.
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It’s Wisconsin, we get it—ice happens. But salt and most deicing chemicals are rough on concrete. They can cause scaling, pitting, and long-term damage. Instead, use clean sand for traction. Your concrete will thank you later.
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Letting snow sit too long can lead to surface damage, especially with new concrete. If your flatwork was poured in late fall, it’s still curing through winter—so be extra gentle. Use a plastic shovel (metal edges can scratch newer surfaces), and avoid snowblowers with exposed metal augers until spring.
If your concrete was poured earlier in the season and had time to cure, you’ve got more flexibility—just be mindful and avoid forceful scraping. Either way, prompt snow removal helps prevent pitting, peeling, and icy buildup.
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If you always park in the same spot, winter road salt and leaky fluids can start to take a toll. Try to rotate where you park and rinse off buildup when temps allow. Think of it like rotating your tires—good for longevity.
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To keep your concrete protected and looking great, resealing is an important part of long-term care —especially for driveways and surfaces exposed to road salt or heavy use. Your concrete was either treated with TKUV26, a surface-applied sealer, or IMPEDE® Intraseal, an admixture mixed directly into the concrete.
If TKUV26 was used, we recommend resealing annually to maintain protection and appearance.
If Intraseal was used, resealing is typically not needed for 5–10 years.
Patios are not always sealed at the time of installation. While regular sealing isn’t typically necessary for these areas, applying a compatible sealer every few years can help preserve appearance and extend surface life. For future sealing, choose a product designed for exterior broom-finished concrete. We recommend Ambrosius Concrete Supplies for advice and compatible options.
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This is one of our most common questions. Yes—your new concrete might look patchy, streaky, or uneven at first. Totally normal. It’s curing and reacting to sunlight, moisture, and temperature. Over time, it will “bleach out” and settle into its final color. Don’t worry—it’s not permanent, and it doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.
Concrete is Tough—But Not Perfect
Concrete is a natural material, not a factory-made product. That means some surface variation is completely normal. We do everything we can to set your project up for success—but no two pours are ever exactly alike.
Want to know what’s not considered a defect? That’s where our warranty guidelines come in.
Warranty Overview
What to Expect and What’s Not Covered
We stand behind the work we do, and we want your concrete to last. That’s why Hendricks provides a one-year limited warranty covering defects in workmanship and materials that impact the performance or structural integrity of your concrete.
That said, some surface variation is inherent in concrete, and not all imperfections indicate a defect. Our warranty does not cover:
Cosmetic issues like surface cracks, color differences, or texture variation
Damage from salt, deicers, road chemicals, or vehicle fluids
Effects of weather, ground movement, frost heave, or general wear over time
Issues caused by factors outside the concrete itself—like ground settling, landscaping, improper maintenance, or drainage problems not related to the pour
Resealing done with incompatible products or not applied properly
If something doesn’t look right, we’re happy to take a look. But if it’s something that doesn’t affect how your concrete performs—or stems from conditions outside our control—it’s likely not a warranty issue.
Note: All warranty claims must be submitted within one year of completion and require written documentation and photos. Warranty is void if concrete care guidelines are not followed.
Legal Disclaimer. Plain English.
We take pride in our work and stand behind it with a one-year workmanship warranty. That said, once your concrete is poured and cured, a lot depends on how it’s cared for and what conditions it’s exposed to.
We can’t guarantee how concrete will react to weather, traffic, or future use. We also can’t be responsible for damage caused by outside factors like salt, snowplows, or shifting ground.
Need help figuring out if something’s normal or not? Give us a call. We’re always happy to talk it through.
👉 For full details, view our Terms & Conditions.
Have Questions? We’re Here.
Not sure if something’s normal? Curious about resealing? Just want to double check? We’re happy to help.
Download Our Care Guide
Want a printable version? Download our Concrete Care PDF and keep it handy.