Maintenance of Polished Concrete

2021-12-24

We are full of praise for the great benefits of polished concrete. Durability is nearly unbeatable, beauty is unparalleled and maintenance is as basic as it gets. The longevity and aesthetic appeal of polished concrete are often the first things noted, but the ease of cleaning is definitely one of the most important daily benefits you will encounter.  

Polished concrete is through a process of grinding, honing, and polishing of a concrete slab to produce a specific desired finish. The surface is ground with concrete diamond tools to achieve a level of aggregate exposure and shine level determined by the customer. Over time, even with thorough care, your concrete floors may need to be re-polished to restore their former gloss. Polished concrete maintenance isn’t like the typical processes you’d have to follow for other types of flooring. It doesn’t require stripping and waxing to keep the floor looking great. It won’t harbor excessive dust and dirt like carpets do because there aren’t fibers to hold on to it. Polished concrete only needs simple regular maintenance, but when it has sustained damage, regular maintenance isn’t enough to bring back the glossy finish, then we may need to preform restorative maintenance.

Basic Maintenance

Daily maintenance for your polished concrete floors is very simple. This can be done by dry and wet mopping as frequently as needed depending on the size of your floors and the level of use they withstand. Use a pH-neutral cleaner that is designed to be used on polished concrete, with water weekly to remove surface dirt. Avoid using corrosive cleaning materials such as vinegar or bleach, which can weaken the bonds in the concrete and damage the floor’s finish or turn it into an unsafe walking surface. The shiny surface of polished concrete looks impervious, but the porous surface can still be damaged. Liquids left on the surface can eventually penetrate the surface and cause staining, which could also damage the finish. Cleaning the surface quickly and regularly can prevent the frequent need for restoration work.

Restorative maintenance

While regular maintenance is vital to the durability and aesthetics of your polished concrete, professional restoration may be necessary over time. The frequency of restoration work will depend greatly on the daily maintenance as well as the type of use the floor endures. The polished concrete will wear more in the heavier traffic areas, which may lead to a greater need in those spaces. Professional restorative work can bring your floors back to life and back to their former gloss.

Polished concrete is one of the best flooring options available. If you’re considering polished concrete for your space, we’d be happy to offer help and support for your work. DTS specializes in providing premium quality concrete diamond tools for concrete surface preparation, concrete grinding and polishing, concrete restoration and maintenance. Contact us today to begin your polished concrete project.