After hours of research, finding the right contractor to work with, and waiting weeks for your installation date, your new concrete floor coating is finally finished.
Now, your new floor not only looks incredible but is protected against color fading, chipping, cracking, or blistering. But, just like any other product, it doesn’t clean itself.
Whether you had your garage floor, outdoor patio, sidewalk, or pool deck elevated with a concrete coating, you want to know how to properly clean and maintain it to keep it looking good as new.
Or maybe you haven’t invested in a concrete coating yet and want to learn more about maintenance before taking the next step.
At Southwest Exteriors, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners completely transform their space with a high-quality concrete coating from Penntek Industrial Coatings.
Once your coating is installed to perfection, we provide you with a bottle of cleaning solution best suited for floor coatings, so you don’t have to worry about running to the store at the first sight of a spill.
However, you may not have had your flooring project done with us, and that’s okay. We’re here to provide helpful tips and tricks on maintaining your new floor and what materials you’ll need.
8 Tips To Keep Your Concrete Floor Coating Looking New
Low maintenance is one of the most attractive qualities of any floor coating. Penntek coatings do not stain, so any spill can easily be wiped up and erased in minutes.
If you love to keep your space clean and better preserve the longevity of your purchases, here are eight ways to maintain your concrete coating.
1. Regular Sweeping, Dusting, And Mopping
One of the best ways to maintain your floor coating and keep it fresh is by regularly dusting, sweeping, and mopping it.
Regularly sweeping and dusting removes loose dirt, dust, and debris. This helps prevent scratches and keeps the surface clean.
Tip: Use a soft-bristle broom, a microfiber mop, or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment for more thorough cleaning.
2. Clean up Spills
No matter if your coating is in your garage, out on your patio, or around your pool deck, spills are bound to happen.
Promptly clean up any spills on your concrete coating to prevent any potential damage. While Penntek coatings are stain-resistant, you don’t want to risk damaging the coating with a potentially harmful liquid.
Wipe up spills using a soft cloth or paper towel, mild detergent, or a recommended cleaning solution provided by the company you work with.
Tip: Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can degrade the coating. Mild, all-purpose cleaners work just fine.
3. Use Gentle Cleaning Solutions
As we touched on above, you never want to use a harsh chemical, like bleach, to clean your concrete coating. You want to avoid using harsh chemicals, acidic or alkaline cleaners.
When deeper cleaning is required, such as oil stains or sticky solutions, use a pH-neutral cleaner or a mild soap diluted with water. Apply the solution to the floor and mop or scrub with a soft-bristle brush or mop. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue.
Tip: Once your spill is completely gone, dry your floor with a microfiber towel to avoid slipping and give your floor added shine.
4. Avoid Cleaning With Abrasive Tools
We understand that with difficult spills or problem areas that never seem to get clean, it’s tempting to switch your soft scrubbing sponge to a heavy-duty scrubber. However, the abrasiveness of these tools can compromise your floor coating.
Abrasive cleaning materials paired with heavy scrubbing can cause your concrete coating to peel or chip, which is not protected under warranty if caused by misuse.
Tip: Stick to a regular dish sponge, paper towel, or microfiber cloth when cleaning messes on your floor. It may require more elbow grease, but it will ensure your coating comes back clean and intact.
5. Protect From Heavy Impact Or Scratching
If you turned your garage into an at-home gym, laundry room, or workshop, this tip is especially valuable.
While Penntek coatings are durable, taking precautions to prevent heavy impacts or scratching is still important. Use protective mats or pads under heavy furniture or equipment, and avoid dragging sharp or heavy objects across the floor surface.
Tip: Do you have any old rugs or carpets lying around your home you don’t use anymore? Repurpose them to place under your gym equipment or machinery to protect your flooring.
6. Avoid Excessive Heat
While polyurea coatings are heat-resistant, epoxy coatings are not. They can withstand minimal heat, but you want to avoid exposing them to excessive heat sources such as hot pans or welding sparks.
Use protective pads or mats in areas prone to high heat to prevent potential damage.
Tip: Avoid parking your car on the flooring for epoxy garage floor coatings after immediately driving it. The heat from your tires can damage the coating and cause it to blister and peel.
7. Maintain Proper Moisture Levels
Before your coating is installed, the concrete must be at a proper moisture level. A moisture barrier must be applied before the coating if the moisture content is too high.
Ensure that the moisture levels in the environment are within the recommended range. Excess moisture or high humidity levels can affect the performance and longevity of any concrete coating.
Tip: Proper ventilation and moisture control measures should be implemented, especially in areas such as basements or areas where your concrete is exposed to excessive moisture.
8. Inspect Your Flooring Regularly
The best way to ensure the longevity of any new addition to your home is to inspect them regularly for any abnormalities.
Look for any signs of damage, wear, or discoloration. If you notice areas of the coating that require repair or touch-up, contact the contractor who installed your coating to see if the damage is covered under warranty and what the next steps are to fix it.
Tip: Damage caused by everyday wear and tear or misuse of the product is not typically covered under warranties. Peeling or cracking caused by improper installation should always be covered under warranty.
Read more about Penntek’s warranty here!
Maintaining Your Penntek Concrete Floor Coating To Last
Now that you know eight easy tips to maintain your Penntek concrete coating, you have the right tools in place to keep your floor looking as good as it did the day it was installed.
Although Penntek concrete coatings are virtually maintenance-free, you want to have a plan in place in case of any accidents and spills as well as everyday tips and tricks.
To keep your flooring clean and ensure its longevity, follow these eight tips:
- Regularly sweep, dust, and mop
- Clean up spills promptly
- Use gentle cleaning solutions
- Avoid cleaning with abrasive materials
- Protect the flooring from heavy impact
- Avoid excessive heat
- Maintain proper moisture levels
- Inspect your flooring regularly
By following these simple tips, your floor will look as good in ten years as it did ten days ago. You will also help preserve the integrity of the coating and help it to last longer.
With Southwest Exteriors, we know the key to the quality and longevity of a concrete coating starts with the installation.
Our concrete coating installation crews are Penntek-certified and know how to properly inspect your flooring, assess what must be done, and deliver a high-quality installation.
If you want to learn more about what maintenance is required for a Penntek coating before contacting a company, you need to know what to look for to ensure your coating is installed properly and will last.
This article will outline ten qualities to look for in a concrete coating contractor so you can go into any consultation prepared and find the right company to work with.