
- Dec 5, 2022
- Greg Casey
- Blog
- 0 Comments
How to Keep Your Floors Looking Spectacular
5 Tips to Maintain Concrete Stains and Coatings in Austin
1: Keep Up With Routine Maintenance
Practical Tips and Tricks
Have you been taking care of your floor’s concrete stains and coatings? As an Austin homeowner, you take pride in your home’s appearance. You want to keep it looking its best for as long as possible. Part of that means keeping up with routine maintenance, like cleaning the gutters and trimming the hedges. It also means maintaining your floors so that they are of the highest quality possible.
While concrete stains and coatings are designed to be durable and last for years, they still need to be properly maintained. Neglecting routine maintenance can shorten the lifespan of your concrete stains and coatings and lead to costly repairs down the road. Luckily, there are a few simple ways you can easily keep up with routine maintenance on your concrete stains and coatings.
Here are a few tips that will help you keep your floors looking amazing:
Sweep Away Any Debris
Leaves, dirt, twigs, and other debris can accumulate on your concrete stains and coatings, causing them to break down over time. To prevent this from happening, sweep away any debris that collects on your concrete stains and coatings on a regular basis. This will keep anything from sticking around long enough to cause major damages.
Wash Regularly
Washing is an important part of routine maintenance for your concrete stains and coatings. It will remove any dirt or grime built up over time, helping to keep your concrete stains and coatings looking new. Depending on the type of stain or coating you have, you may need to wash more or less often – be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Repair Any Cracks or Damage
If you notice any cracks or damage in your concrete stains or coatings, it’s important to have them repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring small cracks or damage can lead to big problems down the road, so it’s best to nip them in the bud now. There are a variety of ways to repair cracks or damage in concrete – consult a professional if you’re unsure of what method is best for your situation.
By following these simple tips, you can easily keep up with routine maintenance on your concrete stains and coatings. With just a little bit of effort, you can keep your concrete looking like new for years to come!
2: Don’t Skip on Resealing
Your Floors Need A Routine Refresh
A lot of people take their concrete flooring for granted. They think that once it’s installed, it will last forever with no maintenance required. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. If you want your concrete flooring to last, you need to reseal it every few years. This is best done by professionals, as they are the ones with the most experience handling and selecting the necessary chemicals and can make the process smooth and effortless.
Why and When You Should Reseal Your Concrete Flooring
We pride ourselves in the quality and longevity of our flooring products. All of our systems come with a 15-year warranty, but with our concrete coatings, you should not need to deal with any resealing for at least that long if not longer. However, if you are dealing with an older product or inherited a system that you are considering updating, there are a few things to consider in regards to resealing and retreating your flooring.
Firstly, resealing reinforces the coating that protects your floor from stains. Spills happen, whether it’s water, coffee, or something else. If you have unsealed concrete, those spills can seep into the porous surface and cause permanent stains. But if you have sealed concrete, those spills will be easy to wipe up without any long-term damage.
Second, resealing your concrete flooring protects it from wear and tear. For example, walking on unsealed concrete can cause it to chip and crack over time. And if you have furniture or heavy equipment on your concrete floor, that wear and tear will happen even faster. By resealing your floors, you’re creating a barrier that will help them withstand everyday wear and tear much better.
Finally, resealing your concrete floors will make them easier to clean. Over time, dirt and grime can build up on unsealed concrete, making it difficult to clean. But if you have sealed concrete, all you need to do is give it a quick sweep and mop—no scrubbing required!
So there you have it—three good reasons to reseal your concrete flooring every few years. Not only will it make your floors look better, but it will also prolong their life and make them easier to maintain in the long run. So don’t skip this important step in taking care of your home or office!
3: Remove Stains As Soon As Possible
Potential Hazards to Your Flooring
Spills happen. It’s just a fact of life. But when they happen on your floor, it’s important to act fast to ensure the best possible outcome. Here’s a quick rundown of why you should always remove stains immediately from your floor stain or coating, as well as the proper way to go about it.
The most important reason to remove a spill from your flooring immediately is to prevent staining. Whether you have hardwood, laminate, tile, or another type of flooring, allowing a spill to sit can lead to discoloration and even permanent staining. In some cases, you may be able to mask the stain with a throw rug or piece of furniture, but in others, the damage may be visible no matter what you do.
If you have flooring with a protective coating, it’s also important to clean up spills quickly to prevent that coating from being damaged. Most types of floor coatings are designed to be tough and durable, but they can still be scratched or stained if they’re not properly maintained. Over time, this damage can lead to premature degradation of your flooring and an increase in wear and tear.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that spills are simply unsightly. No one wants to walk into their home and see a big stain on the floor! Not only that, but it can also make your home feel dirty and uninviting. By taking care of spills as soon as they happen, you can keep your home looking its best at all times.
Whether you’re worried about staining, damaging your floor coating, or simply keeping your home looking its best, acting quickly is always the best course of action. With a little time and effort, you can keep your floors looking like new for years to come!
4: Avoid Unfriendly Chemicals
And a Few That We Recommend
When it comes to keeping your concrete flooring looking its best, it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals. Not only can these chemicals be damaging to your surfaces, but they can also be dangerous for you and your family.
One of the most common chemicals used in household cleaning products is bleach. While bleach can be effective at removing stains, it is also very harsh on concrete surfaces. Over time, repeated exposure to bleach can cause your concrete to become dull and discolored. If you must use bleach to remove a tough stain, be sure to rinse the area well with clean water afterwards.
Another chemical to avoid using on your concrete flooring is ammonia. Ammonia is often found in window cleaners and other household cleaning products. Like bleach, ammonia can damage your concrete surfaces over time. Additionally, ammonia fumes can be harmful if inhaled, so always use caution when using products that contain this chemical.
We would also recommend avoiding tire shine products that contain silicone and checking that any mats or rugs you plan to use are non-marring, which should be clearly stated on the product’s label. Some rubber used as mat backer can cause our topcoat to haze over time.
The primary cleaning method that we recommend for everyone to start with is simply soap and water. Dawn dish soap works best if it’s an oil-based stain. The escalation path if the soap and water doesn’t work would be Simple Green and then CLR, but if you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your concrete floors, vinegar is a great option. Vinegar is a mild acid that can safely be used on most types of flooring, including concrete. For the best results, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a bucket and mop as usual. Be sure to rinse the area afterwards with clean water to get rid of any lingering vinegar smell.
5: Be Gentle With Her
She’s More Delicate Than You Think
Concrete floors are often thought of as being durable and low-maintenance, and in most cases they are! However, even the most durable surfaces have their limits. Stained and coated concrete floors are especially vulnerable to damage and need to be treated with care in order to stay looking their best. For instance, take care when moving furniture or other heavy objects, as they can easily scratch or chip the surface. This is actually one of the biggest sources of damage for treated floors and something that we want all of our clients to avoid. Thankfully, with a little bit of care, your stained and coated concrete floor will stay looking beautiful for years to come.
Caring for Your Concrete Stains and Coatings in Austin
Let Us Know If We Can Help
Maintaining your stained or coated concrete floors is key to keeping them looking their best and lasting for years. However, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we’re here to help! Our team of professionals have the experience and knowledge necessary to keep your floor coatings looking great. Contact us today if you want help maintaining your floors – we would be happy to assist you!