How to Clean Concrete the Right Way

Concrete sidewalks and driveways become dirty over time and as a homeowner, you want every aspect of your property to look it’s very best. So, how do you clean concrete? Are there specific ways to clean certain stains to make sure they are removed? With a little know-how and elbow grease, you can easily clean the concrete areas of your property, no matter the stain. Read on to find out what works best based on the cleaning needs of your concrete areas.

Oil and Grease Stains

Driveways are areas where oil and grease stains are common. If you work on your car in this area, you will see such stains arise. And even if you don’t, it is not uncommon for a vehicle to leak fluids from time to time that can stain your concrete driveway or garage floor. The best way to remove such stains involves a power washer and an alkaline degreaser. Hot water from the power washer will lift the oil from the concrete while the degreaser will work on the oil, helping to bring it to the surface for removal.

Rust Stains

If you have a wall of concrete around your property, perhaps a low wall for landscaping, it can have rust stains that gather over time. Rust stains will penetrate deep into the concrete and can be hard to remove. To work on rust stains, you will need a cleaner that contains oxalic acid. This type of cleaner has proven to be the most effective in removing rust stains.

Applying a Concrete Sealer to Interior Floors

If you have concrete flooring in your home or garage area, one option you have to protect the concrete is by using a sealer. A sealer will preserve the floor and help with the cleaning processes. The sealer will provide a protective film on the surface or penetrate into the flooring, depending on the type you use. With a protective coating, spills are unable to penetrate the flooring which helps you to avoid any stains or the need to clean the concrete on a regular basis.

Caring for your concrete is a must, whether you have concrete flooring indoors or want to protect the integrity of the concrete walkways and driveway outside your home. Regular cleaning will ensure the concrete looks it’s very best. If you find the concrete is cracking or has other issues, have the concrete repaired by an expert to ensure everything is handled properly. You want your concrete structures to last a lifetime and small repair issues can easily become big problems if not taken care of quickly.

Learn more about caring for your concrete by talking to an expert. You can easily have a concrete professional visit your home to determine what you need to do to care for the concrete of your home as well as have any repair service taken care of as the need arises. This will ensure you have your concrete areas for a long time to come.