Polished concrete floors are a beautiful and durable option for residential and commercial properties. Thanks to their low maintenance requirements, polished concrete floors make your everyday life easier.
Yes, polished concrete is resilient, but that doesn’t imply zero maintenance. All kinds of surfaces need a certain level of care.
Neglected polished concrete floors often see a drastic drop in their durability. So, maintaining your polished concrete is essential.
In this blog post, we will discuss 10 tips for maintaining your polished concrete floors.
Upkeep of Polished Concrete
Dust Mopping
Sweep or vacuum your polished concrete surfaces on a daily basis to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can also use a damp mop to clean your floors weekly.
A pH-neutral detergent or cleaner specifically designed for polished concrete floors is also helpful. However, make sure to check the labels of any floor cleaners you plan to use to see if they have a neutral pH balance.
Manual Vs. Automatic
To care for your polished concrete floors, you can either go for manual cleaning or automatic cleaning.
Manual cleaning is the regular everyday mopping, as you know it. The mop should be of soft microfiber rather than any harsher materials that might damage or dull polished concrete surfaces.
Alternatively, you may use automatic floor scrubbers, but make sure they have soft, non-abrasive pads. Too-hard pads risk etching and scratching, harming the polished concrete’s gloss.
A rubber wheel or other scratch-resistant material should be used for the equipment’s wheels.
Keep it Away From Water Initially
For the first three days following initial installation, polished concrete floors should be kept away from water to give the sealers time to cure completely. It enables you to start off with the best protection possible.
Acidic Spills
Clean up any acidic food spills right away with freshwater or a concrete cleaner. A few examples of acidic food are soft drinks, pickle juice, and ketchup. Acidic chemicals will etch the finish of concrete if they are let to sit.
Avoid Harsh Methods
It is also necessary to avoid using harsh cleansers, abrasive pads, or steel wool, as they can damage the concrete’s finish.
We may be tempted to use harsh cleaners or abrasive materials to remove stubborn stains. But you should refrain from doing so. Even for stubborn stains, you have to find a solution that does not damage the floor.
One way to deal with such persistent stains is to use a dilute solution of vinegar or ammonia. But be sure to rinse the area afterwards with clean water to avoid damaging the floor. Don’t leave the solution on the floor for too long.
Never Wax Your Polished Concrete
Do not use waxes or polishes on your polished concrete floor, as they will dull the finish over time. It causes irreversible damage to your concrete surfaces. To tell you why it’s a bad idea to wax your polished concrete floors:
- The wax will accumulate over time and need to be cleaned, dulling the floor’s shine.
- Applying wax will invalidate the warranty, which is terrible, given the possibility that you will need it at some point.
Avoid Taping
Another thing to keep in mind is to avoid putting tape on the floor since the glue might harm the surface when it is removed.
Do Not Use Degreasers
Another thing you should stay away from is degreasers since they are abrasive and can degrade and discolour the polished concrete surface.
Routine Upkeep
You may place mats at all entrances to your home or office to help minimise the amount of dirt and debris tracked onto the floor. In high-traffic areas, you may consider placing rugs or mats to protect your floor from wear and tear.
Also, when moving heavy furniture or equipment, always lift them instead of dragging them across the floor to avoid scratches or scuffs.
You may also keep in mind to protect your floor from excessive sunlight by closing blinds or drapes during daylight hours because ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause the floor’s colour to fade over time.
Resealing as and when needed
Sealing is essential for polished concrete floors. However, the sealing can be damaged due to regular wear and tear. So, you must be sure to seal any cracks or joints in the floor to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating there.
Conclusion
Knowing all of them at once might feel like a lot, but most of these are simple precautions, and some are occasional care. It’s not like you have a 10-step everyday care routine.
With only a little bit of regular care and maintenance, you can keep your polished concrete floors looking like new for many years! It is also a great idea to establish a routine for your polished concrete floors’ maintenance.
A polished concrete floor must be cleaned on a regular basis depending on how much traffic it gets. You may want to establish a morning and evening cleaning routine if the area sees foot activity 24 hours a day. Such heavy foot traffic is mostly seen in commercial and industrial spaces.
If you leave them be for a few days, the floors might seem clean, but they are not. It does not take long for minute sand and dirt particles to form the so-called “sandpaper effect,” which gradually erodes the surface and renders the concrete lose its distinctively smooth aspect.
So, it is very much necessary to have a set cleaning routine.
Whereas for occasional maintenance, you can go to a professional, such as for resurfacing or resealing polished concrete in Geelong. You can also get in touch with Excon Group on https://excongroup.com.au/concrete-polishing-in-geelong/
We hope this little guide helped you better understand the care your concrete floors demand.
