How to clean concrete driveways? We all know concrete driveways are a stylish addition to compliment your home. However, their appeal can quickly decrease when covered with hideous oil stains. It is crucial that oil stains are dealt with promptly to avoid a stubborn blemish that is difficult to remove.
Furthermore, oil stains should also be removed before concrete sealing, painting or resurfacing is performed. If they are not removed, they will resurface overtime to ruin your fresh looking driveway and cause long-term issues to the porous surface of the concrete.
There are a few Effective Ways To Clean Oil Stains of Concrete Driveways; some are Do-It-Yourself responses, while others are more thorough, like professional concrete driveway cleaning services.
Here we have the benefits of cleaning concrete, some helpful DIY first response tips and reasons why using the concrete driveway cleaning services of Enviro-Clean and Capture is a wise investment.
Why is concrete cleaning so important?
As concrete is porous, it can absorb water, acids, oils, salts, and other harmful elements. Over time they will cause your concrete to deteriorate, causing a weakened surface that can break down and chip away, along with an unattractive aesthetic and the possibility of corrosion to home structures.
A professional concrete clean not only removes these foreign liquids and particles but also adds new life to the concrete. So don’t waste time with DIY methods when you can get cleaner results much easier and safer.
The benefits of concrete cleaning:
- Provides a modern and stylish look
- Adds value to a property
- Removes stains, moss, grime and dirt
- Adds longevity to your concrete investment
How to know what cleaning method to use?
When choosing what cleaning method to use to remove an oil stain, there are two vital factors; the size and age of the oil stain.
The size of the oil stain
More minor spills and oil spots can be addressed with a bit of elbow grease and the correct cleaner product. In contrast, more comprehensive oil stains need to be contained immediately and resolved by professional concrete driveway cleaning services.
The age of the oil stain
The age of the oil stain is also a significant factor in how to remove it. DIY methods can work, but finding the perfect solution to remove the determined stain takes time and effort. On the other hand, concrete driveway cleaning services know exactly how to solve the issue and, more importantly, ensure there are no residue oil particles within the porous surface of the concrete.
Do-it-yourself vs concrete driveway cleaning services
Do-it-yourself cleaning methods are the go-to for immediate response; however, they are no match for professional concrete driveway cleaning services. The DIY approaches are inferior to the advanced concrete cleaning equipment that deliver impeccable results more effectively and efficiently.
Enviro Clean and Capture uses machinery from industry-leading brands with soundproof covers for a quiet concrete cleaning process and the least disruptive concrete driveway cleaning services. Our safety standards cannot be beaten as we strive to avoid excess hoses, power leads and water, and we closely follow safe work practices and product handling instructions.
Enviro Clean and Capture come and go without a fuss, leaving your concrete driveway stain-free and sparkling clean.
The advantages of concrete driveway cleaning services vs DIY:
- A more efficient and effective approach
- A deeper clean using the best industry equipment
- Less chance of injury or accidents
- An environmentally friendlier process
- Less disruptive to daily routines
- Better concrete driveway cleaning results
How to address fresh oil stains on a concrete driveway
Eliminate excess oil immediately
It is vital to eliminate excess oil immediately to avoid it spreading. You can do this by wiping up the extra oil with a rag or using an absorbent such as kitty litter or sawdust.
Scrub the oil stain with a paste
Next, you need to use a bit of muscle and scrub the oil stain using a paste. Dissolving baking soda or powdered laundry detergent in water is a safe paste to use on the oil stain; however, be sure to rinse it well with water.
Gently wash with a brush and soap
After a good scrubbing, the stain should be removed, yet residual oil and dirt may be on the concrete’s surface. Dishwashing soap and a soft-bristle brush is an effective way to ensure the oil stain removal job is 100% complete. Rinse the concrete clean to wash away any remaining soapy water.
The most refined high-pressure concrete cleaning
Concrete can deteriorate quickly if not cleaned, maintained and sealed, diminishing its visual appeal and longevity significantly. Likewise, stains, grimes, and dirt can cause the light colour surface to become unsightly and unattractive.
Enviro Clean and Capture professional concrete cleaning services will rectify this with high-pressure cleaning methods to make your concrete surfaces look brand new. High-pressure concrete cleaning is the best way to get the most refined and in-depth concrete clean, which Enviro Clean and Capture perform with the latest technologically advanced cleaning equipment.
The qualified Enviro Clean and Capture technicians know exactly which product and method are best for oil stains that need to be removed. Whether it’s a small stain to be removed or a large area to be cleaned, we know we can deliver optimum concrete cleaning results.
Enviro Clean and Capture services include:
- High powered commercial pressure cleaners
- Enviro-friendly biodegradable concrete cleaning treatments
- Over 30 years of industry experience
- Trained and experienced technicians
- Competitive rates and friendly service
- Exceptional results every time
Preventing oil stains on your concrete driveway
Preventing an oil stain from occurring in the first place is the best solution. The majority of oil stains come from vehicles that have been parked on the concrete driveway, so checking your car for leaks and having it regularly serviced is essential. If the vehicle is an older model and confidence in leaks are unreliable, using an oil tray or mat to catch any leakages is a very wise decision.
Concrete staining is another excellent way to protect your driveway in the event of an oil leak or spill, as it prevents the liquid from entering the concrete’s porous surface. It is highly recommended that all concrete surfaces be stained, which Enviro Clean and Capture have comprehensive experience undertaking.
How to prevent oil stains on concrete driveways:
- Have your car regularly serviced to ensure it doesn’t drip oil.
- Have professionals seal your concrete with a product oil-resistant.
- Buy an oil mat or tray to catch oil drips and protect your concrete driveway.
Four important steps to maintain your concrete driveway
Regular cleaning
Cleaning your concrete driveway regularly helps with its overall appearance and condition. Simply by giving it a sweep with a broom to remove dirt and debris and an occasional hose down, your concrete driveway will look fresher and be healthier.
Protective sealing
Sealing your concrete driveway gives it the extra layer of protection needed to better withstand spills, dirt, traffic and weather. It also extends the life span of your concrete driveways and keeps them looking new.
Removing stains
Removing a stain immediately is vital to your concrete’s condition and appearance. The oil stain can be addressed with DIY methods, to begin with, and if needed, concrete driveway cleaning services can be called upon. However, the longer it is left, the harder it is to rectify.
Correct chemicals
Using the correct chemicals for a concrete driveway cleaning job is crucial as the wrong choice can be detrimental to the concrete’s surface. If you are unsure of what chemical to use to remove an oil stain, it may be best to use reliable concrete driveway cleaning services of Enviro Clean and Capture.
The best way to remove old oil stains from concrete
Removing Oil With a Detergent
Some small oil stains can be sorted simply by scrubbing and cleaning the oil stain using a strong and safe detergent, a scrubbing brush and a sponge.
Using Concrete Cleaner or Degreaser
A more dynamic approach to removing oil stains from a concrete driveway is using a concrete cleaner or degreaser with an alkaline base to help loosen and lift the oil particles. Simply apply a concrete degreaser or cleaner to release and remove oil from the concrete’s surface and spray with a hose to clean.
Concrete degreasers are far more effective on porous concrete than concrete with a hard or dense finish. The negative of using a degreaser is that they don’t break down the oil, so they are not overly effective on heavily contaminated concrete that has been left for a long time.
Cleaning Oil Stains With a Poultice
Another common treatment method is to use a poultice treatment to break down the oil stain and absorb it from the concrete’s surface. A poultice is a mix of absorbent material and a solvent that can be spread over the oil stain.
Once applied, the poultice should be covered with plastic to enhance the osmosis process, breaking down the oil from the concrete driveway. Using a poultice is not the most cost-effective or practical approach and does take more time than other methods.
Use Microorganisms to Get Oil Out of Concrete
There are single-celled microorganisms that can be placed on top of the oil stain that basically eats oil particles. The relatively new stain removal innovation is full of enzymes and oxygen that digest oil and turn it into carbon dioxide and another microorganism.
Once the oil has been consumed, it leaves the concrete driveway clean and oil-free. The technology is similar to how oil spills are treated in oceans and waterways.
Concrete sealing for better driveway protection
Applying a concrete sealant is an excellent way to better protect your driveway and any other concrete surfaces on your property. Understandably, accidental spills and stains can happen; therefore, a concrete coating to ensure these liquids and particles don’t enter the concrete’s porous surface is a great idea to help maintain your investment.
Furthermore, concrete sealing also keeps dirt and grime out, which helps immensely when it comes to cleaning your concrete driveway and adds a layer of protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays, helping against cracking and discolouration.
However, one of the biggest bonuses of high-quality concrete sealing is the improvement of your concrete’s appeal as it rejuvenates the hard surface making it look brand new. It makes grey, coloured and patterned concrete more vibrant, while the gloss level can be selected to suit the customer preference.
Enviro Clean and Capture has the knowledge, experience and personnel to perform quality concrete sealing in any environment. We deliver the best concrete sealing service in Sydney, from driveways and paths to courtyards and entertaining areas.
Benefits of concrete sealing:
- Slip-resistant choices
- Rejuvenates colours and patterns
- Various gloss level options
- Protects against spills, dirt and UV rays
- It makes for easier cleaning
- Adds to the concrete’s life span
Sydney’s best concrete driveway cleaning services
Enviro Clean and Capture has over three decades of experience cleaning concrete driveways throughout Sydney and Newcastle. With around the clock service to suit customers daily routines, we provide the best concrete driveway cleaning services.
We pride ourselves on prompt response times, professional and friendly service, and competitive rates. Our trained technicians and high-quality equipment are the perfect mix to deliver pristine concrete driveway results every time.
Our concrete cleaning processes are environmentally friendly to ensure minimal water wastage and contamination while providing a safe environment for our workers and customers. We are truly the industry leaders in concrete maintenance, cleaning and sealing.
Enviro Clean and Capture concrete cleaning applications:
- Driveways
- Car parks
- Footpaths
- Courtyards
- Entertaining areas
- Chewing gum removal
- Paint and graffiti removal
- Degreasing
- Garages
Contact Enviro Clean and Capture for the full cleaning, sealing and coating experience
If you have a concrete driveway with unsightly stains, don’t think twice and contact Enviro Clean and Capture today. We will come to assess your concrete driveway and recommend the best approach to remove the stain and restore your driveway to look magnificent yet again.
Enviro Clean and Capture do not limit ourselves to concrete cleaning and sealing. We have immense experience in natural stone, paver and tile cleaning and sealing, and glass coating, giving our Sydney customers the full cleaning, sealing, and coating experience.
So contact Enviro Clean and Capture today to speak to one of our friendly staff, and let’s get your concrete driveway looking fresh as the first day it was poured.
