Maintenance

Maintenance Procedures for Stained Concrete

We often think of concrete lasting forever, but like anything else, it can become dirty and stained with years of use.

Cleaning your new beautiful concrete floor should become a part of your regular home maintenance program. With proper maintenance, you can greatly extend both the life and the beauty of your concrete. The information below will you keep your surface looking its best.

Protect Your Floors

Your Custom Interior Floor will last a lifetime if properly protected.
Plastic glides, Felt Pads or Magic Movers should be affixed to heavy furnishings or those that will be moved frequently. Use the same precautions you would use for a Hard Wood Floor.

Walking on dirty floors has the same effect as rubbing sandpaper on them. Placing doormats outside and inside your doors will pick-up 85% of the dirt that would have been tracked inside. Picking the correct matt is critical.  Doormats should have enough “texture” to remove dirt from shoes. During the first month after installation, inside doormats should be an open-back style while the sealer/finish cures. A carpet remnant works well. Plastic-backed mats should NOT be used. An acrylic or plastic backed mat can cause discoloration under and around the mat. This phenomenon is called Plasticizer Migration.

Caring for Your Indoor Floors

Dust mopping-
Dust mopping removes the fine dust and grit that can grind away a floor finish. It will help prevent major floor finish deterioration caused by normal foot traffic. The best results are obtained by using a Micro-Fiber Dust Mop available at Lowe’s or Home Depot. The following procedures should be followed:

1. Dust mop the floor in one continuous movement without lifting the mop off the floor. Overlap your stroke on each pass (you can also vacuum).
2. Clean the dust mop after each use by shaking it outdoors, brushing it with a brush over a garbage can, or vacuuming it.

Damp mopping-

1. Damp mopping with warm water and a neutral ph cleaner extends the floor finish life. It will not dull the finish and will enhance the gloss retention.  Simple Green or Fabuloso, also available at Home Depot or Lowe’s, are excellent neutral cleaners.
2. Follow the recommended dilution rates on label’s directions to avoid cleaner build-up.
3. Do not use Pine Sol, Swifter Wet Jet,  or products containing ammonia or bleach.
4. The mop should be wrung out tightly so that it is just damp. Do not allow the cleaning solution to puddle.
5. Do not forget to rinse & clean the mop & bucket after use.

Waxing-
Wax is a sacrificial coating that can protect the sealer from scuffs and scratches.
When the wax is removed, the scuffs and scratches go with it. We recommend using a quality 20% or higher solids wax available at janitorial supply stores. Do not use Mop-n-Glo or similar wax products.  If you prefer, ModernCrete can apply the wax for an additional charge.

1. How often you need to reapply wax depends on the abuse from children and pets. It varies by owner and may be anywhere from every 3 months to once a year.
2. Use a looped-end Rayon mop — synthetics release material and cotton absorbs the wax.
3. Pour a dinner-plate sized puddle on the floor and spread it evenly and thinly. Spread the material across the surface and let it dry for 1 hour. You are now ready for foot traffic again.

Caring for Your Outdoor Concrete

Your Exterior surface was sealed with multiple coats of a high-solid, UV-inhibiting, penetrating solvent-based sealer. This sealer will repel dirt, dust and liquids that promote the growth of mold and mildew. Basic care is detailed below:

1. If your concrete has a powdery white or splotchy appearance, especially after a rain, the sealer is doing its job. This is the dirt/dust accumulated over time. Rinse with a garden hose followed by a leaf blower to remove excess water.  Pressure washing is generally not needed.
2. If a spill dries on your concrete, such as a soft drink, use a mild soap such as Ivory liquid in warm water to loosen the material.  Rinse and blow for a clean surface.
3. Plastic glides or Magic Movers should be affixed to heavy furnishings or those that will be moved frequently.
4. Potted plants should have a dish placed under them to catch excess water. This is especially true if you use a lot of fertilizer.
5. The sealer manufacturer recommends resealing every 1 to 2 years. How often your surface needs resealing depends upon the amount of rain and sunlight it receives. It is time to reseal when you notice that water does not bead-up or seems to absorb into the surface.

Your stained and sealed concrete or decorative concrete overlay must be maintained. Floors that need to be repaired due to neglect will not be covered by the warranty and will be subject to our normal repair prices.