Concrete is very durable. However, even concrete can’t take unending punishment without showing signs of damage. For instance, the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge that crosses the San Francisco Bay has all concrete beams supporting it. These cement beams take severe punishment from mother nature in the form of sun, rain, humidity, wind…oh and the ocean that they sit in. To protect these beams a series of protectant coatings were applied to the concrete. These cement coatings have protected the concrete from all forms of damage and have even prohibited the growth of barnacles on the cement.
Your concrete probably doesn’t take the same kind of punishment as these bridge supports. But, your concrete is susceptible to sun, rain, humidity, and wind damage. Water and other liquids can be especially damaging to cement because of concrete’s porous nature. The same kind of coatings, coverings, and sealants used on the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge can protect your concrete.