Concrete is an eco-friendly building material. It is easy to clean and durable, and when it is properly sealed, it is water-resistant.
With these features, it is no wonder that more and more homeowners are considering using concrete for their floorings.
And today you have the option to choose from different textures and colours. Depending on the feel and look you wish to achieve, you can opt for smooth, trowelled, or polished. All of these can be made possible with the help of concrete contractors in Orange County, San Francisco, or other places near you.
But despite the fact that concrete is durable, it still requires regular maintenance. So here are five principles you must follow when maintaining your decorative concrete finishes.
1. Prevent dirt accumulation with weekly dust mopping.
Dust mopping is a crucial step when it comes to maintaining decorative concrete floors. This will prevent the build-up of dirt, sand and other debris which can wear away the floor finish. This is also the best way to get rid of dust that acts as a source of allergies, health hazards, and air pollutants.
You can use a light-duty sweeping tool to perform this job. But if you want to use a vacuum only, you should be more thorough because this cleaning tool is usually less effective in terms of dust pickup.
2. Restore gloss with monthly damp mopping.
It is imperative that as soon as the floor finish becomes marred, scuffed or dirty, you should clean it with a damp mop. Consider using a pH-neutral cleaner. Remember though that before using any cleaning solution, read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer first.
Basically, you must separate the cleaning solution and rinsing solution. Also, you should not allow the cleaner to create a puddle. Moreover, it is recommended that you use a cotton or microfiber loop end wet mop because this is reusable and more absorbent.
3. Rebuild it by re-coating once or twice each year.
Over time, your stylish concrete floors can receive some abrasions and scratches from frequent foot traffic, pets, children playing, and different objects. When left unaddressed, this can erode your floor finish.
It is crucial that the floor finish must be periodically restored. This way, the concrete sealer won’t be affected. How often you will need to recoat your concrete floorings will greatly depend on the building environment. For residential properties, for instance, the rule of thumb is to re-coat it annually. But for commercial buildings, the floorings must be re-coated at least quarterly or bi-annually.
4. Spray buffing is a great alternative to re-coating.
When done meticulously and with the proper materials and equipment, spray buffing is an effective alternative method to restore the finish of your concrete floors. This is highly recommended for areas with high traffic wear like meeting rooms and hallways. It requires the utilization of a low-speed floor buffer.
Remember though that spray buffing must be done by professional cleaners. Otherwise, your floor can end up discoloured and with different degrees of gloss. Higher speed machines may be required if your floors have heavy scratches and marks. After spray buffing, dust mopping should also be done to remove any lingering residue.
5. Exercise caution when positioning furniture and other objects.
Floor finishes and sealers are forms of plastic. Since plastics usually bond together, you must not place anything with a plastic bottom on the floor. These include planters, air mattresses, storage bins, and furniture coasters. If you are not cautious enough, these objects may take the colour and sealer off your floor when it is time to move or reposition them. So make sure that before positioning such objects, place a piece of fabric over the surface first.
You should also avoid placing furnishings with low-quality rubber because this can stick to concrete floorings. This can result in brown or yellow staining.
Furthermore, the constant moving around of tables and chairs in the entertainment rooms and dining area should be avoided. This may eventually lead to scratches unless preventative measures are put in place. For instance, attach special pads to all your appliances (especially the heavy ones) and to the legs of your furniture. The use of furniture pads is a cheap yet effective way of extending your concrete floor’s life and reducing any costly maintenance later on.
Lastly, you must not apply any kind of tape to your flooring’s because this will pull up the sealer. When removed, stains will also appear. Consider hiring professional concreting services. Concept Concrete WA delivers excellent concreting services with a licensed and insured concreter in Perth.
The use of decorative concrete for your home’s flooring is a great idea as it boosts the aesthetic of your property. Make sure though to perform regular maintenance to extend its life and prevent any unnecessary damage and staining. And don’t forget to follow these five maintenance principles.
