IVAN IMERMAN from IBS International Building Supply provides advice on the best procedures to ensure a clean concrete floor.
One of the most versatile floor surfaces, polished concrete comes in several different finishes and styles. Before looking at the best cleaning methods for different types of concrete finishes, it is important to have an understanding of the finishes possible and the descriptive terms used.
1. Densified polished concrete floors
A properly densified floor is the cheapest type of flooring to maintain. A densified floor is chemically modified – there are no sealers on top of the surface.
2. Polished concrete floor with surface sealers
There are a range of surface sealers of differing quality, gloss and hardness, starting at the lower end with wax-type sealers, then moving up to polymer sealers and two-pack epoxy finishes. Sealers for concrete have to be permeable, as concrete needs to breathe. Quality polymer surface sealers provide the best combination of longevity, appearance and ease of maintenance in the area of surface sealers.
3. Polished concrete floors with impregnated sealers
The best ‘green’ impregnated sealers will have some densification properties, which will slightly harden the surface. They have no odour and can be used internally and externally. Some are even stain-proof rather than just water repellent, have a natural look and do not cause yellowing on the sealed surface. Water-based impregnated sealers are safer to use, as opposed to solvent or other toxic impregnated sealers.
CLEANING SECRETS DISCLOSED
Each of these different types of concrete finish has a particular cleaning method that achieves the best outcome.
1. Maintenance for densified polished concrete floors
Spills: Remove spills when they happen, as they are a slip hazard and can stain the floor if left for too long.
General cleaning: Use a broom or a dust mop or a walk-behind scrubber.
Maintenance cleaning: This is performed where there is high traffic and a higher standard of cleaning is required.
- Do not use ammonia, citrus or acid-based products on densified floors.
- Heavily soiled areas should be spot cleaned using a neutral PH degreaser cleaner.
- Dust mop the floor daily.
- Make sure entry mats are cleaned weekly as loaded mats will not prevent dirt entering.
- Use a clean mop and a clean bucket with a neutral PH detergent to mop weekly or use a walk-behind scrubber and a neutral detergent or ionising water system.
- Make sure the brush is not worn past the two-thirds mark.
- Burnish the floor monthly with a propane burnisher and ultra-high-speed pad. This will bring up the gloss of the densifier.
- Some lower-grade densifiers sit on the surface and do not react with concrete, resulting in a film on the surface, which walks off over time. Quality densifiers need only be re-densified every 20 years.
2. Maintenance for internal polished concrete floors with surface sealers
Daily: Dust mop floor a minimum of once a day to remove abrasive dirt particles, dust and debris from the floor. Vacuum entryway mats daily.
Weekly: Clean by thoroughly scrubbing with a neutral pH detergent using a red pad or soft nylon brush.
Burnishing: Frequency of burnishing is dependent on many factors. A facility should be segmented into high, medium and low traffic areas, and burnish frequency determined accordingly. A green cleaning program requires equipment to be equipped with a dust-control apparatus.
High traffic areas (every six to eight weeks):
- Deep scrub with a red or blue floor pad using a neutral pH detergent.
- Rinse floor after scrubbing.
- Spray buff with a quality spray buff solution that removes scratches and rejuvenates the floor.
- Recoat high traffic areas.
Low/medium traffic areas (every eight to 12 weeks):
- Deep scrub and rinse as described above.
- Spray buff with a quality spray buff solution that removes scratches and rejuvenates the floor.
- Recoat with one to two coats of finish. Low traffic areas may only need recoating one to two times annually, depending on traffic levels.
Entryway matting: If entryway mats become heavily soiled, wash, extract or use other appropriate cleaning methods as required.
Restoring: Restoring is an optional process that can enhance gloss and fill in scratches and scuffs. Spray buff with a quality spray buff solution that removes scratches and rejuvenates the floor.
- Do not clean with ammonia, citrus or acid-based products.
3. Maintenance for polished concrete floors with impregnated sealers
- Never pressure wash a concrete floor, as this will result in the surface and sealer being damaged.
- Do not use ammonia, citrus or acid-based products.
- Use a clean mop and a clean bucket with a neutral pH detergent to mop weekly.
- Alternatively, use a walk-behind scrubber and a neutral detergent or ionising water system.
- Make sure the brush is not worn past the two-thirds mark.
- A quality impregnated sealer will need recoating every three to five years, depending on the traffic and application.
