One of the joys of having concrete floors is the low maintenance the is required of them. If your concrete floor has an epoxy coating then there is some minimal maintenance work that should be done. The benefits of epoxy sealed concrete flooring definitely outweighs the maintenance that is required. The epoxy formula resists against water, oil, and other liquids that could stain or damage the concrete. The epoxy coating also makes cleaning the concrete as simple as wiping down a kitchen counter. Coloring and flakes can also be added to camouflage any imperfections in the concrete. Regardless the location of the epoxy coating the usage and maintenance tips are usually the same. Here are some tips for maintaining your epoxy floors.
For spills of liquids such as automobile fluids, simply use a paper towel or soft brush to wipe it up.
Use a soft bristle broom or a blue commercial dusting mop for routine maintenance, either can be found at any home improvement store.
When an epoxy floor is heavily soiled and a more thorough cleaning needs to be done, first sweep away any loose dirt or debris. Then use a hard foam mop and hot ammonia water. About four or five ounces to every gallon of water is recommended to remove any dirt or debris.
The winters can be tough on epoxy when it comes to tracking in pre-treatment chemicals with foot traffic. These treatments can leave a film on the floor making it appear hazy even after cleaning. This can usually be removed by using a deck brush and hot water. You may need to rinse continuously to prevent the chemicals from drying onto different areas of the floor.
There may be some stains, such as rust, that require a bit more aggressive cleaning. You can use a kitchen scrubbing pad and hot water. If hot water is not enough, then you can use Soft Scrub, but avoid using abrasive cleaning products such as Comet on the coatings.
The floors can also be hosed down and squeegeed off to dry if this is more convenient.
Make sure not to use any soap based or acid containing cleaners (cleaners that contain vinegar or citrus). Soap based cleaners can leave a residue that makes the floors very slick when wet increasing risks for falls. The residue also reduces the shine of the concrete.
Use a doormat at entrances to reduce dirt and water from foot traffic. Longer mats may need to be used in winter or in areas with higher foot traffic.
When dealing with automotive equipment and components it’s important to make sure that all surfaces are clean before lifting heavy items with rolling jacks. You can also put pieces of half-inch plywood under jack stands when lifting heavy loads, use a welding mat when welding above the floors, and you can even use a computer mouse pad underneath a motorcycle kickstand to prevent any damage to the surface.
At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!