Concrete has grown substantially more popular as the choice in flooring material for commercial and residential buildings. It’s not only being used in basements, garages, and utility areas as in the past. Business owners and homeowners select concrete flooring because it is durable, aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective and low maintenance.
Many people believe that once a concrete floor has been installed, no upkeep of the floor is required. However, if you want your concrete floor to keep its polished look, routine maintenance is required. Although you don’t have to wax or seal concrete floors every year, they still need some attention. Otherwise, you will end up with dusty and dull-looking floors.
Caring for Concrete Floors
Concrete floors will last for years, but proper maintenance is essential to keeping them looking their best. Yes, they are indeed relatively easy to care for compared to other types of flooring. However, using the wrong cleaning methods can affect their color or durability. To maximize your investment, regular maintenance will keep concrete floors in top condition.
- Address Spills Immediately Concrete is a porous material which can allow liquids to permeate the surface. After new concrete is poured, almost half of the water pushes to the surface and leaves open pores in the concrete. When a liquid substance spills on the floor, they can quickly absorb into the concrete floor.Acidic liquids such as soft drinks or vinegar can be very damaging to concrete floors. If left unattended, they can permanently discolor or stain the surface of the floor.
- Implement A Regular Maintenance ScheduleConcrete floors can’t maintain themselves. Low-maintenance does not mean NO maintenance. Routine upkeep is a must if you want to keep your concrete floors from looking dull.First, use a dust mop daily to remove surface dust and dirt particles. Due to continuous foot traffic on most concrete floors, these fine particles can be ground into the surface if they aren’t removed.Secondly, use a wet mop to clean your concrete floors on a weekly basis. Soil can erode the surface due to its abrasive nature. You’ll need to use an appropriate cleaner first, then rinse with clear water. To avoid the cleaning solution drying on the floor, clean in sections. Have a system where you move in small areas around the floor. Apply cleaner to one corner, move onto the next section, and then go back to rinse and wet-vacuum the first corner again.Lastly, to bring back the shine to your concrete floors, refresh the polish. This should be done at least twice a year. A concrete burnisher must be used. This will polish the concrete at a high speed to give it the maximum shine.3. Use the Correct Cleaners and ToolsTo effectively maintain concrete floors the right cleaners must be applied correctly with the appropriate accessories. Remove dirt and debris with a dry dust mop or for smaller areas a soft bristle broom will do.For residential floors, a microfiber dust mop aggressively collects dust. You can get these mops with removable covers that can be washed and re-used. In commercial settings, an automatic floor scrubber with a non-abrasive pad is recommended. This will get the job done most efficiently and effectively.Use clean water and a neutral floor cleaner. Using water alone to clean concrete floors will leave behind dirt. A neutral pH cleaner will lift and pull up all the dust and dirt particles.Stay away from acidic cleaners like ammonia, bleach, vinegar, or citrus cleaners. These types of cleaners can eat away at the pores of the concrete.Next is the polishing step. Use a soft pad to remove light scratches. A burnisher equipped with a diamond impregnated burnishing pad is the best tool to use for polishing.To keep the shine lasting longer, a protective treatment should be applied. A concrete sealer preserves your floor, enhances the color, and adds sheen. Some sealers protect against stains and scuffs, especially In high-traffic environments. To protect yourself from toxic fumes, it is best to use a water-based sealer. Solvent-based sealers are flammable and they emit toxic fumes that can be hazardous to breathe.
Want to Bring Back the Shine?At Battle Born Painting, we can take care of any size of concrete flooring. No matter the setting–commercial, industrial, or residential–our team is experienced in keeping concrete floors looking their best. Our skilled concrete experts are here to extend the longevity of your floors. Contact us for a free quote.
