You have built your new home or renovated an older house and decided on exposed concrete for your floors. This popular trend looks amazing, with many finishing options and a polished concrete floor.
When finished properly, your polished concrete flooring can last 20 years and beyond and is worth the money. That doesn’t mean you can “set it and forget it,” though. You still need to do some tasks regularly to keep them in great condition, and with a little know-how, your floors will serve you well.
Not sure how to take care of them over the long haul? Here is a polished concrete maintenance guide to assist you.
Construction
During the construction of your home, the concrete foundation and slab are poured in the beginning. Somewhere along the line between framing and finishing, the floors will get polished, and then they need to be protected while the rest of the work is done.
Cardboard is a great solution for laying on the finished floors as it will protect from dirty foot traffic and tools and building materials. Also, keep the job site clean by removing debris and sweeping up at the end of every day. Make sure your cardboard stays in place with tape, but the tape shouldn’t make contact with the floor.
A Three-Part Approach
A three-part approach is your best bet to keep your polished concrete floors in optimal condition. This includes:
- Restoration
- Protection
- Maintenance
Restoration
Spills happen, and it can be hard to avoid, so instead of fretting over the next liquid mess, jump into action with a quick cleanup. This includes:
- Condiments
- Juices
- Food
- Detergents
- Oil & grease
You can wipe up most messes with paper towels or a damp cloth, but there are commercial products you can buy to make sure all the residue is gone so it doesn’t hurt the polished finish.
Protection
Part of the polished floor application is a sealer to add protection. When you have spills, this will help keep the floor pristine. Unfortunately, sometimes wiping up spills and messes removes some of the sealant. This is the time to reapply.
Over time, the sealant can wear down, so it is a good idea to reapply it on the surface, especially in high-traffic areas, as this will protect any colouring too.
Maintenance
General maintenance should be a routine, whether there is a spill or wearing of the sealant finish. This is a good maintenance schedule for caring for your polished concrete floors.
Daily Maintenance
- Use a micro fibre mop or dry sweep your floor daily. This removes sand, dirt and debris from scratching the finish and dimming the appearance.
- Vacuum any entry mats and rugs that accumulate dirt so it isn’t tracked onto the floor. Also, lift them and sweep underneath.
- Wipe-up spills as soon as they happen, as even polished concrete still has a little porosity and can leave behind a stain.
Weekly Maintenance
- Auto scrubbing or mopping the floor should be done weekly.
- Use a neutral-ph cleaner or any other natural cleaner that isn’t acidic.
- Stay away from floor waxes.
- Use any other recommended polished concrete cleaning products.
Monthly Maintenance
- Once a month after your cleaning, use a high-speed burnisher to remove any new scratches or surface stains that have come up.
Yearly Maintenance
- Once a year, you can reapply a stain resistor to maintain high stain protection on your concrete floor.
What Can Damage Polished Concrete?
These are some of the threats that can damage the polished finish on your concrete floors.
Salt Salt
Salt Salt crystals are abrasive and can easily scratch polished concrete floors.
Acid
Different liquids like soda, pickle juice and orange juice are very acidic and can etch your floors. This needs to be cleaned up immediately and wash off afterwards.
Too Many Cleaners
Overuse of detergents can hurt your concrete floor by collecting dirt and debris if not rinsed off.
Wrong Cleaners
Using incorrect cleaning solutions can damage your floor, so make sure you only use cleaning chemicals made for concrete, not wood or vinyl.
Neglect
If you neglect cleaning your floors or only use water, you will get a build-up of dirt and stains that will be much harder to remove later.
Abrasion
This is dirt and debris that is ground in from foot traffic or, in the case of a polished concrete floor in a commercial building or workplace, shopping carts, forklifts, pallets and even hard bristle brooms and brushes can scratch the surface.
You have spent hard-earned money to have your concrete floors polished, so maintaining them steadily is in your best interest. This keeps them looking showroom-ready and protects your investment over the long term. Use this maintenance guide to preserve the lustre of your polished concrete floor and enjoy this trendy, modern look for the rest of your life.
