Maintenance Procedures for Stained Concrete
We often think of concrete lasting forever,
but like anything else, it can become dirty and stained over years of use.
Cleaning your colorful concrete should become a part of your regular home
maintenance program. With proper maintenance, you can greatly extend both the
life and the beauty of the concrete. There is one problem with transforming
your dull Gray Concrete into a Decorative Concrete Overlay or Acid Stained
Floor... Once you make something pretty; you notice when it is dirty. The
information below will give you the knowledge needed to keep your surface
looking its best.
Your new Stained Concrete
Floor or Decorative Concrete Overlay Floor must be maintained. Floors that need
to be repaired due to neglect will not be covered in warranty and will be subject
to full repair prices.
Interior
Floor Care
Your Custom Interior Floor will last a
lifetime if properly maintained. Plastic glides, Felt Pads or Magic Movers
should be affixed to heavy furnishings or those which will move frequently. Use
the same precautions you would use for a Hard Wood Floor. A Door Mat at the
outside (Hemp or Rope style) and inside entrance (one with a solid backing that
can be shook off outside) of a home will pick up over 85% of the dirt that
would otherwise be tracked inside.
One important thing to mention about your
walk-off mat is how to choose one. For the first month, an open-back mat such
as a carpet remnant should be used while the sealer/finish cures.
Plastic-backed products should NOT be used for your mats. An acrylic or plastic
backed mat can cause discoloration under and around the mat. This phenomenon is
called Plasticizer Migration.
Here is
how to care for your floor:
Daily dust mopping
Daily dust mopping removes the fine dust and
grit which can grind away floor finish. It will help prevent major floor finish
deterioration caused by normal foot traffic. The best results are obtained by
using a Micro-Fiber Dust Mop. The following procedures should be followed:
1. Dust
mop the floor in one continuous movement without lifting the mop off the floor.
Overlap your stroke on each pass (you can also vacuum).
2. Clean
the dust mop after each use by shaking it outdoors, brushing it with a brush
over a garbage can, or vacuuming it.
3. NEVER
use a "Swiffer Wet-Jet" type of cleaning tool. The liquid in these
devices contain trace amounts of Solvent material. The Solvent will not harm
the sealer but will cause the wax to egg-shell. Also, you should not use
Ammonia, Bleach or Pine Sol.
Damp
mopping (use cool water)
1. Damp
mopping with cool water and a neutral ph cleaner extends the floor finish life.
It will not dull the finish and will enhance the gloss retention.
2. Follow
the recommended dilution rates on label directions.
3. The mop
should be wrung out tightly so that it is just damp. Do not allow the cleaning
solution to puddle.
4. NEVER
use a "Swiffer" type of cleaning tool. I know this is a repeat from
above but I must state this again. The liquid in these devices contain trace
amounts of Solvent material. The Solvent will not harm the sealer but will
cause the wax to egg-shell. Also, no Ammonia, Bleach or Pine Sol.
Don't forget to rinse
& clean the mop & bucket after use. Shake or brush off dust mop before
using.
Waxing
Wax is the sacrificial coating to protect the
sealer and bear the brunt of the scuff and scratches. We can apply wax to your
floor for the initial protection two weeks after the sealer has been applied
for an additional charge, although, application of the wax can be done by the
owner. We recommend the use a QUALITY 20% minimum solids wax available at
janitorial supply or other No Mop-n-Glo or similar wax should be used.
1. How
often you need to re-wax depends on the abuse you, your children or pets put on
the floor. It varies by owner and may be anywhere from every 3 months to every
year.
2. Use a
looped-end Rayon mop — synthetics release material, cotton absorbs.
3. Pour a
dinner-plate sized puddle on the floor and spread it evenly and thinly. Spread
the material across the surface and let it dry for 1 hour. You are now ready
for foot traffic again.
The use of a Floor Mat on
the Outside and Inside of entry doors will pick up about 85% of dirt that would
enter a home. The use of mats is especially good if you are living in a new
housing development.
Exterior
Surface Carez
Your Exterior surface was sealed with multiple
coats of a high-solids, UV-inhibiting, penetrating solvent-based sealer. This
sealer will repel dirt, dust and other substances that can get a foot-hold on concrete
surfaces and promote the growth of mold and mildew. Basic care is as shown
below:
1. If you
notice a powdery white or splotchy appearance; especially after a rain, the
sealer is doing its job. This is the dirt/dust mentioned above. A rinse with a
garden hose followed by a leaf blower to remove excess water will fix this.
2. Pressure
washing is generally not needed. A rinse and a blow will remove most things on
the surface.
3. If
there was a spill of a soft drink or something you didn’t see right away, use a
mild soap like Ivory liquid in some warm water to loosen the material. Rinse
and blow and you are back to a clean surface.
4. Plastic
glides or Magic Movers should be affixed to heavy furnishings or those which
will move frequently.
5. Potted
plants should have a dish placed under them to catch excess water; this is
especially true if you use a lot of fertilizer on the plants.
6. The
surface should be resealed from time-to-time. The manufacturer of the sealant
recommends resealing every 1 to 2 years. How often your surface needs to be
resealed depends on the amount of rain and sunlight it receives. When you start
to notice that water doesn't bead up on or seems to absorb into the surface, it
is time to reseal.
Maintenance Procedures for Polished Concrete Floor
ADVANCED CONCRETE SOLUTIONS provides a flooring solution that
enables our clients to reduce their current maintenance plan due to the limited
upkeep needed to care for the natural shine of polished concrete. Polished
concrete floors are hard wearing, easy to maintain, and have the least
environmental impact of any type of floor.
The best preventive treatment for your
polished concrete floor is to have the proper sealant applied when you first
have your floors serviced. The proper sealant will help protect against any stains.
To find out more about having your floor sealed, contact ADVANCED CONCRETE SOLUTIONS at 281-704-7218.
The use of a floor mat on the outside and
inside of entry doors will pick up about 85% of dirt that would enter a home.
The use of mats is especially good if you are living in a new housing
development.
ADVANCED CONCRETE SOLUTIONS recommends daily dust mopping to
help maintain your polished floor. Daily dust mopping removes the fine dust and
grit which can grind away floor finish. It will help prevent major floor shine
deterioration caused by normal foot traffic. The best results are obtained by
using a Micro-Fiber Dust Mop.
Your floors have been treated with a liquid
densifier/hardener to add abrasion resistance and prevent dusting. Wet
mopping should be done with the chemicals that were designed to work in
conjunction with this treatment.
