Concrete is a very hardy material that will last for many years with very little maintenance. Still, “low-maintenance” does not mean “no maintenance”. Besides that, your nice, new, decorative concrete floor will not retain its attractive appearance on its own. You need to follow the proper care and cleaning steps to keep it that way.
Fortunately, we’re going to explain these steps and everything else you need to know about concrete maintenance in this guide. This guide covers how to clean concrete, including how to clean exposed aggregate. We’ll also share specific steps on how to maintain concrete besides cleaning, such as the proper maintenance for stamped concrete.
No matter what type of concrete floor you have, follow these steps to keep it beautiful and well-preserved.
How to Clean Concrete
The following are general cleaning tips, regardless of the type of concrete you have. For specific cleaning/maintenance instructions, ask the company that installed the floor. (That’s not a mere suggestion; it’s very important that you follow the installer’s official instructions.)
Sweeping
To start with, concrete should be swept clear of dust every day. For indoor concrete floors, we suggest you purchase a dustmop and use it to sweep the entire floor once a day. Otherwise, use a broom or even a vacuum.
For outdoor floors, we suggest investing in a leaf blower. This is the easiest way to clear your outdoor concrete floor of dirt and dust daily. Otherwise, sweep it daily with a broom.
Please note, however, it’s usually difficult and time-consuming to use a broom on textured concrete floors. There’s a lot of dirt outside and it likes to settle in the crevices of your textured concrete. That’s why we suggest the leaf blower.
Washing
Mop as needed to prevent a buildup of filth. How often you do this typically depends on how much foot traffic your floor gets. In general, though, mopping should be done at least once a month.
In addition, most outdoor concrete floors, including exposed aggregate, can be pressure washed about once per year. You can also spray it down with a hose once in a while.
Other Tips For Keeping Concrete Clean
Removing stains can be difficult and is specific to the type of concrete and the type of stain. You’ll want to research on your own the cleaning instructions of any particular stain you have.
In any case, it’s far better to prevent stains in the first place. To that purpose, keep the following away from your concrete floors:
- Rubber-bottomed mats
- Excessive water (sprinklers, runoff from potted plants)
- Oil
- Chemicals
- Rock salt
All the above can stain or damage your concrete floor. And the longer they sit on the concrete, the worse the damage will be. So wipe up any spills that occur right away.
Other Tips on How to Maintain Concrete
Aside from cleaning, many concrete surfaces, including stamped concrete should be sealed every 2-3 years. If you don’t reseal often enough the floor could be permanently ruined. In addition, you could keep interior concrete floors waxed to prevent stains.
Again, though, contact your concrete floor installer for specific instructions.
Remember These Important Concrete Maintenance Tips
Concrete maintenance isn’t difficult, but it is necessary. Remember these tips and follow them to keep your floors clean and in good repair.
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