Sealing and maintaining concrete

How to care for your concrete surface
Now that you've sealed your ornamental concrete surface, you need to know how to care for it. Sealing helps prevent stains and mildew, but spills and stains must be cleaned swiftly. Our concrete care best practice guide is extensive.

The surface may be carefully cleaned using a garden blower, gentle brush, or sweeper.

REMOVING A SPILL
Clean up spills as quickly as possible to avoid absorption into the surface. The sealer will resist the spill, but the sooner it is cleaned up, the less discoloration and sealer deterioration.

WET AND OIL SPOTS
For domestic spaces, use a clean mop and a mild cleanser with a PH of 7-7.5 to gently wash over the stains until they lift. Rinse the surface with clean water.

Then use an automated floor scrubber with soft, gentle pads and a mild low/no foaming cleanser with a PH between 7 and 7.5.

Note for all surfaces: Using a soft cleanser helps take dirt particles off the surface, whereas just using water leaves them on the surface and causes discoloration.

CLEANING AGENTS
Check your cleaner's operating duration to ensure it has enough time to effectively remove dirt and grime. If you don't have enough time, the dirt and filth will just travel about the surface. After cleaning, rinse with clean water to remove any cleaning solution.

With concrete sealing, you get easy cleaning and maintenance and a long-lasting gorgeous finish. Consider the desired finish (natural and matte or rich and enhanced) and the concrete's intended use when choosing a sealer. A concrete parking lot or driveway may require a different sealant than a concrete walkway. Any sealant will help prevent spills from staining the surface and make cleaning easier.