Concrete care isn’t necessarily a tricky thing; however, those with concrete do require a bit of knowledge when it comes to concrete cleaning and maintenance. As experts in providing concrete cleaning services, Enviro Clean and Capture have some important myths to bust to make things easier for you.
Concrete is a highly fashionable and aesthetically pleasing flooring option, but it cannot exist without maintenance, despite how durable it is. Let’s uncover some concrete myths with a few expert tips to ensure you get longevity from your concrete surfaces while maintaining their stunning look year-round.
Myth 1: Concrete Flooring cracks easily
Let’s start with a myth that is a little on the fence. When poured over a smooth, level surface, concrete is generally problem-free. However, a less-than-even surface means the concrete may develop cracks. In some cases, even if the concrete is poured on an even surface, cracks may form.
These cracks are normal and expected as the concrete sets and generally happen soon after it is installed. What this does not mean, however, is that your concrete will forever continually crack. Concrete is still one of the most robust flooring options.
It is important to pay close attention to any cracks when it comes to cleaning, as they will often get particularly dirty. They collect soil and moisture, which can lead to bacteria and odours. If you notice any cracks, try to keep them clean and dry as much as possible.
Myth 2: Concrete floors do not require a floor maintenance program
The antithesis of the first myth is people thinking concrete is faultless. Just because it is a very strong flooring option, that doesn’t mean it’s set-and-forget. A maintenance program is needed for concrete, albeit one that is not as extensive as other flooring types may require.
There are also some other considerations that need to be made depending on whether or not concrete has a sealant or finish applied. A simple maintenance option is regular vacuuming and sweeping, with a wet mop every now and then. On top of this, a professional high-pressure deep clean is recommended once or twice a year.
To protect the sealant and finish, a buff every so often is a good idea, and you may need to strip and refinish the floor every few years as well.
Myth 3: Concrete is cement is concrete
Some of you may laugh at this, but you’d be surprised how many people think that concrete and cement are the same thing. The terms are often used interchangeably, but cement is an ingredient in concrete. Concrete also features gravel, sand, and crushed stones. The terrazzo variant of concrete features chips of marble, granite, and other stones.
Myth 4: Concrete only requires water and a mop to stay clean
Concrete is very porous (unless sealed) and is affected by dirt, grime and even oils, just like all other floorings. For this reason, straight water will not cut it as the only cleaning solution used on your concrete floor.
Instead, a cleaning solution that has been specifically designed for concrete floors should be used. Specialised concrete cleaning solutions for floor cleaning machines have a low-friction lubricant in them that makes it easier to glide with. This is not to say that spot clean with hot water isn’t effective on concrete, but you need to use cleaning solutions every so often to cut through the harsher grime and oils and properly clean your flooring.
Myth 5: An impregnator or sealant is a must on a concrete floor
Technically, impregnators and sealants are not necessary on concrete; however, they are highly recommended. With a sealant, it becomes much easier to prevent soil and moisture from getting into the concrete. It also makes the flooring much easier to clean and maintain.
Myth 6: Polished Concrete includes a finish
Many people think that the polish aspect of polished concrete means that the floor is automatically sealed and finished. This is not the case as the polish part refers to the grinding equipment used to give the concrete its look. Think of it like sanding.
The grinding process gives the floor its gloss, and this can vary to create a flat sheen or high-gloss shine. One benefit of polished concrete is its easy maintenance, as it does not require an in-depth cleaning process.
Myth 7: It’s impossible to remove harsh stains from your concrete
A lot of homeowners come across a particular concrete stain that seems resistant to their cleaning efforts and assume that it’s the end of the story. That stain lives there forever now. However, this is not the case. It is important to note that the type of stain plays a factor, but cleaning methods will ultimately get rid of it.
Let’s take a look at the different stains that are possible and the best ways to deal with them:
The most common type of stain is often oil stains. To get rid of these, you’ll need a spray bottle with bleach. Simply spray the stain and leave it for 20 minutes to allow the bleach time to do its thing. Next, take a scrub brush to the stain, then rinse with clean water. This should be enough to get rid of the problem. Just exercise caution when using bleach, and avoid contact with your eyes or skin. You should also wear old clothing unless you are particularly fond of the tye-dye look.
Weirdly enough, the best option when combating grease stains is kitty litter. Just spread a little over the stain and leave it for three days. This should soak up the stain, and by the time you sweep it up, the floor should be stain-free. If you don’t own a cat, dry cement should have a similar effect. Just be sure to dispose of the cement via a rubbish bin, and avoid putting it down a sink or toilet, as you’ll be looking at some serious plumbing issues if you do.
If you have a concrete driveway or carport, tyre marks are somewhat inevitable. To get rid of them, wet the area then use a degreaser. Find one that contains orange citrus concentrate and leave it on the marks for a few hours. Next, scrub vigorously with a brush or then rinse. Be sure to avoid muriatic acid (another myth is that this is a good option) as it is a hazardous chemical that is highly reactive.
Myth 8: Concrete never lasts as long as you think it will
Any horror stories you hear about concrete needing to be replaced after a short amount of time are likely due to people ignoring its cleaning requirements. The truth is, concrete can be a flooring option that provides a lot of longevity, even after heavy use if it is cared for.
This means following the cleaning care tips that have been sprinkled throughout this piece and ensuring you get help from professionals now and then. The most significant risk your concrete faces is neglect. Those who set and forget will ignore minor problems that grow bigger with time and repeated use.
From there, it’s a short road to a very expensive replacement cost. Avoid all of this by dedicating the small amount of time required to your concrete maintenance.
Myth 9: You never need to hire a professional concrete cleaning service
Many people think that due to how sturdy their concrete is, DIY cleans will be fine forever. The truth is, the interior and exterior concrete areas of your home will require a professional clean from time to time to be adequately protected. The deep clean requires specialist equipment, materials and processes to ensure it is done correctly.
Having a professional run their eyes over your concrete now and then is a great way to make sure it is on track. Of course, prevention is always the best option for flooring care, and experts like the ones in our team can make sure there are no potential issues forming.
Why you should consider help from the professionals
One of the main things our customers love about handing the task of cleaning over to our experts is the time they save. This is often something that people forget to account for. The hours of your weekend are precious, and the last thing you want to do is spend them cleaning.
A professional pressure cleaning service like the one offered at Enviro Clean and Capture, scheduled regularly for your concrete, offers the following important benefits:
When you hire professionals, you are paying for their extensive experience and training. When it comes to cleaning concrete floors it is vital that the right settings, temperatures and materials are used to provide the highest-quality clean. What good is a clean if it causes damage to your property?
You may be thinking that you’ll just hire the equipment from the local hardware store and sort everything yourself? Unfortunately, this equipment is often left unserviced and used by untold DIYers who may not do things the right way. Professional concrete cleaners have well cared for, top of the line cleaning equipment specifically designed for commercial use. It is all regularly serviced to provide peak performance and the best results for every job.
Professional cleaners know and have access to the right cleaning products for the specific surfaces around your home. This is particularly important when it comes to concrete sealing. You cannot purchase our industrial strength cleaning and sealing materials on the shelf at the supermarket.
The importance of concrete resealing?
We consider it a myth that you can have concrete and expect good results just from cleaning. Any specialist concrete expert will tell you that you need to ensure your concrete is sealed correctly, and this includes giving it a refresh when necessary. Sealing protects your concrete, makes it easier to clean, and improves the aesthetic in some cases.
We recommend regularly testing your concrete surface by placing a tablespoon of water on it and letting it sit for approximately 20 minutes. Then, soak up the water, and if it has left a dark mark, you need to reseal it. Sealant can last a while, but it will wear over time depending on how busy your concrete area gets.
Avoid the myths with the expert Enviro Clean and Capture team
We know that there is a lot of information online about concrete care, and not all of it is accurate. That’s why we wrote this article! Our many years of experience in cleaning and sealing, not just concrete but a range of other flooring types, is invaluable to our clients. If you want to ensure the best care for the areas of your home, speak to the experts at Enviro Clean and Capture today.
Let our highly-trained team offer their expert concrete cleaning and sealing knowledge to find the right solutions for the surfaces in your Sydney or Newcastle home. We have over twenty years of expert knowledge and guarantee fast response times and friendly service topped off with competitive rates.
You can also speak to our team of technicians about an after-hours service that brings our cutting edge technology and environmentally friendly processes to your home at a convenient time. We supply the following services:
Don’t risk any damage to your valuable asset. Contact Enviro Clean and Capture for professional concrete cleaning of both commercial and residential properties. We have the right solutions for you, so let us take care of your needs today.
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