Polished concrete surfaces are a beauty to look at, which is unexpected of such a cost-effective flooring option. Although polished concrete floors are extremely durable and could last a lifetime, without proper maintenance their lustrous shine is prone to wane with time. However, with the right cleaning techniques and proper maintenance practices, you are set for a surface that will retain its shine the test of time.
An added advantage of polished concrete surfaces is that they require less intensive maintenance to retain their sheen and structural integrity. That being said, it nonetheless remains pivotal to carry out routine maintenance to guarantee the longevity of your polished concrete flooring or countertop. Even though a polished concrete surface is a low maintenance flooring option, here are a few maintenance practices your clients should know to keep their surfaces looking brand new for years to come.
Mop Regularly
Getting down and dirty is sometimes mandatory even if most folks hate it. To prevent high-traffic polished concrete floors from looking worn and dingy, remember to advise clients to mop their floors regularly to maintain the polished shine. Regular mopping prevents the build-up of dust particles and grime which may take away the shining of the floor. Remember to advise your clients to use a microfiber cloth; microfibers work great for cleaning floors because they suspend the unwanted particles, effectively removing them from the surface.
Always Use PH Neutral Soap
Always advocate for the use of PH Neutral soap as the soap of choice when cleaning polished concrete surfaces. Polished concrete floors don’t fare well with acidic cleaners. Never use bleach when cleaning because bleach may dull the surface.
Tell your clients to avoid detergents with pine, vinegar or citrus as over time they may deteriorate or etch the surface. PH neutral soaps are readily available in outlets countrywide, tell the clients to read the soap labels carefully before they purchase to ensure the soaps they purchase for concrete floor cleaning are PH neutral.
Properly Repair Any Damages To Your Polished Concrete Floors
Polished concrete surfaces, just like any surfaces, are bound to defects. Small cracks, chips, and tiny holes are not an uncommon sight with improperly maintained polished concrete surfaces. In the event of such, always use the appropriate polished concrete filler. A water-based filler is always a good idea when patching polished concrete flooring. Before inserting the filler, ensure the crack or hole is free from any debris, then carefully overfill the crack or gap, and wait for the filler to harden completely.
Remember, concrete before it hardens is only a mixture of about 70% aggregates like sand, 20% water, and 10% cement, so remember to give the filler sufficient time to harden before grinding the filler to level the surface. Equip your handymen with concrete crack repair kits to make the crack or hole plugging process easy and effective. Advise your clients to reach out to you whenever a crack or hole occurs to prevent the gap from growing any bigger.
Clean Water, Clean Cloths
Understandably, water conservation measures may advocate for water recycling, but using the same dirtied cleaning water to clean your polished concrete surfaces may not be a good idea. First, the soap residue may contain acidic substances that may etch the floor. Secondly, dirty rags or mops may leave streaks on the floor, which may force you to clean the floor for a second time but with different mopping cloth and clean water. So why not do that for the very first time?
If you advise your clients to take these maintenance tips to heart, your credibility and their polished concrete floors both have solid foundations to stand on.