How To Preserve a Concrete Statue

A concrete statue adds a unique flair to any home or garden. They are beautiful and timeless pieces of art that make a great statement for any outdoor space. But hey, if you have to keep beholding that beauty, knowing how to preserve a concrete statue is of absolute necessity.

And today, this blog post is all about preserving concrete statues. From cleaning and preparing it for winter to removing moss, mold, and mildew, there’s so much to pick up from herein!

5 Easy Steps To Preserve Your Concrete Statue

They may not need as much attention as other materials, but concrete statues still require your intervention from time to time. And thankfully, preserving these beautiful pieces of art isn’t rocket science.

Here are the most effective tips on how to take care of your concrete statue:

1. Clean the Statue

Think about anything in your home. Whether a table, a stove, your patio, or even your roofing. They all need regular or occasional cleaning to keep them in good shape.

Left unattended, dust, debris, and other external elements can accumulate over time and cause damage to any of these items.

The same goes for concrete statues as well. As much as concrete is one of the sturdiest materials for statues, it still needs regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top shape, and that includes cleaning it from time to time.

And thankfully, cleaning doesn’t need much. It can be as easy as blowing off dust and debris with an air hose. Do that as often as necessary, depending on how quickly dust and other debris accumulate on the sculpture’s surface.

Also, occasionally thoroughly clean your concrete statue with a gentle detergent and water. Washing your art occasionally prevents dirt and dust from hardening on the surface of your sculpture.

2. Apply a Sealer

A sealer remains an indispensable product for the preservation of a concrete statue. It prevents wear and tear from weather elements such as rain, wind, and extreme temperatures.

You can apply a sealer on your concrete piece biennially or after every three years. It’s an easy task you can do yourself and doesn’t need special skills.

And as usual, read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use the sealer you buy properly. It will help ensure that you don’t go wrong anywhere in the process.

You can go for two coats of sealers or more as appropriate. And, of course, always wait for the previous coat to dry before proceeding with the next one.

3. Keep It off the Ground

Man-made elements like concrete tend to erode when in contact with the ground for too long. That’s why keeping your concrete statue off the ground as much as possible is essential, especially in outdoor spaces with excessive rain and moisture.

Left standing on the ground, the concrete will wick up moisture from the soil through the unsealed bottom. That will make the paint peel and the unit gradually deteriorate, which isn’t something you want for your outdoor piece.

So, always avoid as much as possible to keep your sculpture in direct contact with the ground.

If you must place your concrete statue on the ground, raise it above the ground level. Place it on a concrete slab, tiles, or blocks, and ensure that the area drains properly without any puddles of water.

4. Prepare It for Winter

Winter isn’t the best season for outdoor concrete statues. Though they are rugged enough to withstand the cold, concrete pieces can still suffer some damage. That could be from the intense frost, contraction from extreme winter temperatures, or water freezing in the sculpture of the statue.

To protect your concrete piece during this season, consider carrying it indoors. Do that before the season rolls in. That will keep it far from the destructive winter elements and preserve it safely.

But be careful when moving it from outdoors to indoors and where you keep it when inside. Avoid areas susceptible to moisture, as that will only reintroduce another risk.

If you can’t take it indoors for any reason, don’t worry! A few measures can help keep it standing strong outdoors throughout the entire winter period:

• Empty all birdbaths before winter and keep them covered or upside down to prevent water from freezing.
• Avoid spraying water on the statue when winter is about to begin.
• If there’s a fountain, remove the pump from it and keep it in a warm area.
• Cover your statue with a tarp to protect it from the elements.

Doing all these will help you keep your concrete statue safe and sound during winter.

However, get a birdbath heater if you don’t want to cut the water supply to the feathered friends during this period. It’s available in a bird-feeding store and is a great way to be there for the birds while preserving your concrete statue.

5. Keep It Covered During Winter

One must-do thing if you can’t take your concrete statue indoors is to keep it covered during the entire season. We’ve already talked about covering it with a tarp, but this is to emphasize it.

Uncovered, the elements that come with winter will take a toll on your piece and make it start to deteriorate. So, find something to cover it, whether a tarp or a concrete statue cover.

Whatever option you choose, find a way to ensure it remains in place. You can use straps or something else to secure the cover to avoid taking any chances. Just ensure that you don’t tie it too tight.

How To Wash Your Concrete Statue in 5 Steps

While you can dust regularly, you can’t wash your concrete statue whenever you feel like it. You have to be considerate about the weather and always plan for a warm, sunny day to do the washing.

Most experts recommend cleaning your concrete statue every time you mow the lawn. That’s to say weekly or at least every other week.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean you wash them each time you mow since “cleaning” is a general term that also includes dusting.

But occasionally, you need to do a thorough cleaning when the statue starts to feel unclean and look dirty. Of course, you’ve got to have the right paraphernalia for that.

Tools & Supplies Necessary

You will need the following:

• Dish soap
• Warm water
• Garden hose
• Airhose/soft-bristled brush
• Sponge
• Clean towel
• Bucket
• Old toothbrush

Step #1: Prepare the Solution

Mix the dish soap with warm water in a bucket. Just add enough amount of dish soap to make a sudsy solution.

Step #2: Brush Off Any Dust & Debris

Use an old soft-bristled brush to loosen any dirt, dust, and debris that may be stuck on the surface of your concrete statue.

If you have an air hose, you may use that too. But ensure you remove all the dust before moving on to the next step.

Step #3: Spray the Unit With Water

Using a garden hose, spray your concrete statue with water. Use a gentle setting and avoid using too much pressure.

Step #4: Apply the Dish Soap Solution

The next step is to gently apply the dish soap solution and scrub the entire surface of your concrete statue with a sponge. Make sure you reach all areas, including cracks and crevices.

For areas where you can’t manage with a sponge, say the detailing, an old toothbrush with soft bristles works great. And, of course, you must start from the top and work on your way down, ensuring that you cover every nook and cranny.

Step #5: Rinse & Dry Immediately

After you have finished scrubbing, rinse off the statue with water. And lastly, use a clean towel to dry it, or let it air-dry if the weather is warm enough.

Removing Mold, Mildew, and Moss off Your Concrete Statue

Sometimes mold, mildew, and moss will form on the surface of your concrete statue. This is because it’s an organic material that can easily absorb air moisture.

And if left unchecked and untreated, these organisms will cause the surface of your statue to discolor and deteriorate faster. So, you must remove them as soon as you can.

Tools & Supplies Necessary

You need the right tools and supplies to do the job.

They include:

• Garden hose
• Spray nozzle
• Stiff-bristled brush
• Toothbrush
• All-purpose bleach
• Trisodium phosphate
• Warm water
• Bucket
• Mask
• Rubber gloves
• Towel

Procedure for Removal

Step #1: Prepare the Treatment

Mix trisodium phosphate and all-purpose bleach in a bucket of warm water. The ratio should be, for every 3 quarts of warm water, go with a quart of all-purpose bleach and 1/3 cup of trisodium phosphate.

Step #2: Apply & Scrub

Apply the treatment to your concrete statue. Make sure you cover all areas, including the detailing of the statue.

Then, using the stiff-bristled brush, scrub the surface of your statue with it. You may also use a toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies.

Step #3: Rinse

Once done, rinse off your statue with a garden hose. Ensure that you stick to standard water pressure and set the sprayer nozzle to either mist or shower setting. That way, you won’t damage your statue.

Step #4: Dry

After all the water has been rinsed off, use a towel to dry it. Cover every surface of the statue.

And that’s it! You’re done removing the mold, mildew, and moss from your concrete statue. Now you can proudly display it in your garden or lawn.

Mold, Mildew & Moss Prevention

After cleaning mold, mildew, or moss from your concrete statue, the battle isn’t over until you have taken steps to prevent it from growing back.

To do this, coat your statue with a zinc oxide primer. You can get it from hardware stores. Just ensure that you use it as per the instructions.

The zinc oxide primer will create an additional protective layer on the surface of your statue and make it harder for mold, mildew, and moss to grow.

Conclusion

Preserving your concrete statue is fun and straightforward. It just takes a few basic steps to keep it in prime condition.

With suitable materials, a little time, effort, and TLC, your beloved concrete statue will keep running strong and gracing your lawn for years. Just remember never to use a pressure washer to clean your statue.