Concrete flooring is durable, moisture-resistant, and offers a variety of designs and colors to choose from. However, when it comes time to clean your concrete flooring, you might have many unanswered questions when considering the best measures to fully protect the integrity of your flooring. Knowing the right cleaning solutions to use, which kind of mops work best, and how often you should be cleaning your epoxy are all major concerns that individuals have when they are preparing to give their floors a proper scrubbing. While polished concrete flooring is relatively cheap to maintain, it does require a particular level of care to maintain its shine. In the following paragraphs, we will talk about the best practices that you can take to ensure that your epoxy flooring will possess its sheen for years to come.
PPI Flooring is the nation’s highest rating concrete flooring installation service, and has successfully installed over 10,000,000 square feet of polished concrete around the world. Having successfully completed both small and large flooring installation projects, we are equipped with the necessary tools and collective expertise to provide a turnkey solution for our customers located around the globe. We know that not every concrete flooring installation is the same, which is why we offer knowledgeable advice to our clients while using the tried and true flooring products that are specific to the industry you serve. Learn more about properly caring for your newly installed epoxy flooring by reading below.
Polishing Your Concrete Floors
When compared to other flooring material options, concrete is one of the easiest flooring products to care for. While vinyl flooring, for example, requires a stripping and waxing every five to six months, concrete requires hardly any waxing or finishing. In fact, concrete floors will retain their sheen and luster for many years without requiring resealing. However, neglecting to have your concrete sealed could lead to problems in the future, as concrete is a porous material that can become damaged by liquids without the use of a concrete sealer.
General Maintenance Advice
If you want your concrete flooring appear as aesthetically pleasing as possible, you should use a high-quality sealer that offers the proper level of sheen desired by your facility. For example, if your business is lowly lit and does not offer much in terms of natural lighting, consider using a sealer that provides a high level of sheen. This will improve your epoxy flooring’s reflectivity, allowing your business to thrive on minimal light. However, if your facility receives an ample amount of natural light, a high-sheen finish may not be right for you, as your customers or employees may be blinded by the reflective glare your floors produce.
Once your epoxy flooring has been properly sealed, it will be protected from liquid spills and, in some cases, staining. While concrete is not completely protected from stains, it does possess mildly stain-resistant properties. Choosing a concrete cleaner based on your industry will also help to keep dirt and grime at bay. Cleaners that are pH-neutral are often the preferred cleaner for maintaining indoor concrete flooring, as they are gentle on epoxy flooring and do not contain any acidic properties that could alter your flooring. However, your concrete cleaner choice may vary based on your specific industry. For instance, if you work in the foodservice industry, you may find that an alkaline cleaner works better on your kitchen’s concrete, as alkaline cleaners are essentially used as degreasers. If you are unsure what concrete cleaner is best for your flooring, consider speaking with an expert before making any hasty decisions.
Cleaning and Mopping
When it comes time to mop your concrete flooring, you may want to begin by first cleaning your floors with a microfiber mop that can effectively lift dirt and dust particles. Dirt can be abrasive on concrete, causing your sealer to wear at a quicker rate than usual, which is why it is always a good idea to first dust mop your floors with a microfiber mop. While cotton essentially pushes dirt and dust around without effectively collecting particles on your flooring, microfiber is fabricated in a way that causes dust to become trapped in its fibers. This unique characteristic gives microfiber mops a significant advantage for cleaning concrete flooring.
After you have dust mopped your epoxy floors, you may want to use a wet mop with a combination of a concrete cleaner and water to collect any particles that still remain. If your floors are highly trafficked, there is even more reason for mopping your concrete flooring to maintain its luster and shine. There are many differences between polished concrete and concrete that utilizes a sealer, so you should always seek help from a concrete flooring expert who will be able to provide you with a comprehensive care plan for your epoxy flooring.
If you are considering renovating your facility with the highest quality epoxy flooring currently available, contact the floor installation experts today at PPI Flooring. We have worked in nearly every industry imaginable including healthcare, education, manufacturing, and so much more. As the leaders in concrete flooring installation, we can help advise you on floor product selection, flooring maintenance, and any other questions or concerns that you may have regarding epoxy flooring. To learn more about our floor systems, the flooring installation process, or to receive your competitively priced by, contact our team at PPI Flooring today!