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Yes, concrete countertops are harder to maintain than other materials. You don’t have to stress about them every single day, but they need to be resealed at least once a year, if not multiple times a year. Concrete also stains easily, so you must clean spills immediately. Avoid harsh, acidic cleaning products, as they can damage the sealant. Finally, concrete is prone to cracking over time, requiring repairs.

Epoxy and polyurethane sealers can last five to 10 years, while acrylic sealers last two to three years or more depending on the use, wear of the surface, and type of sealer you choose. Areas that see heavy traffic or extreme ice and snow may require more frequent sealing. Test your concrete every two years to gauge how it responds to absorbing water or if it fully repels it for longer than 20 seconds.

Fiber concrete can be a good option for a residential driveway that will hold up standard passenger cars. The fibers provide increased flexion over a rebar-reinforced concrete driveway, so you’re less likely to see surface cracks. For driveways that need to hold commercial vehicles or multiple vehicles, rebar reinforcement is a better option. Ask a concrete driveway company near you which is the best option for your situation.

A 4-inch-thick concrete slab can support around 4,000 pounds per square foot if a contractor reinforces the slab with rebar, while that same slab without reinforcements will support closer to 1,000 pounds. For the purposes of a patio, 4 inches in thickness without reinforcement should suffice unless you’re installing heavy kitchen equipment or a hot tub on it. In those cases, reinforcing your slab and sticking with 4 inches of thickness should provide plenty of strength.