Learning how to properly care for your concrete floors will protect your investment and extend the life of your floors indefinitely. The concrete slab in your home is nearly indestructible, but the beautiful finish on top of it is not. Regular maintenance and timely repairs will preserve your finish and keep you from having to resurface your concrete flooring too often.
Be Careful
Although they’re considerably more durable, it’s best to think of your high end concrete floors as needing the same kind of care as hardwood. The finish on your floors can be scratched and scuffed if you’re not careful. Apply felt pads to your furniture legs, and don’t drag anything heavy across your floors. Use rollers or cardboard to protect the flooring when you’re moving things around. Place rugs in high traffic areas to protect the finish from the grinding and scratching of dirt particles under foot.
Keep Them Clean
Whether your finished concrete floors are epoxy coated, acid stained, or sporting some other quality finish, they’re going to need regular cleaning. Simply wiping them down with a damp mop and water will usually do the trick. Remove any tougher stains promptly with water and mild dish detergent, or with a cleanser specifically recommended by your contractor. Sweeping away debris from the floors regularly will keep dirt particles from wearing away the finish.
Regular Maintenance
Waxing your concrete floors about once a year protects the surface sealer, repels moisture, and keeps the luxurious gloss nice and shiny. Waxing isn’t necessary for epoxy coating, but for acid staining and other finishes it’s a great way to add extra protection. The floor may also need to be resealed periodically, but this chore usually only needs to be done every 5-10 years, or longer depending on the amount of traffic your floors see. Regular cleaning and maintenance will extend the amount of time between waxing and sealing.
Making Repairs
If the finish on your concrete floor is damaged, repair it as soon as possible to prevent moisture or dirt from working its way down into the slab. You can usually repair scratches in the finish by buffing them out, and possibly by resealing a section of the floor for deeper gashes. Cracks in the slab or more serious damage can be repaired as well with the help of an experienced contractor.
