HOW TO FIX CLEANING PROBLEMS

Source:www.stonediamondtool.com Date:2019/3/22 Read:411

Expert Tips on Concrete Cleaning

HOW TO REMOVE OIL STAINS FROM CONCRETE

Question:

Does your concrete driveway or garage floor have unsightly oil stains?

Answer:

It’s important to remove oil before staining, sealing or resurfacing your concrete. If the oil isn’t removed it will eventually seep back through to the surface and ruin your new decorative treatment.

DEALING WITH MOLD ON CONCRETE

Question:

I live in northeastern New Jersey, and in June we had weeks of rain and humid conditions. Some areas of my concrete driveway developed black spots, and other areas under pine trees have turned green. What is this stuff, and how do I remove it?

Answer:

The wet conditions you experienced caused mold and mildew growth on the concrete. This growth usually occurs in damp or shaded areas that don't receive a lot of sun or heat. Concrete, with all its nooks, crannies and pores, is actually a great incubator for mold. Wet, humid weather with warm temperatures only improves the growing conditions.

REMOVING LEAF, PINE CONE AND OTHER ORGANIC STAINS FROM CONCRETE

Question:

What's the best method for removing leaf, pine cone and other organic stains like urine, blood or sap from concrete?

Answer:

Because organic stains are carbon-based, they tend to be some of the most stubborn stains to remove from concrete. They are not permanent, but they can be hard to remove. The organic pigments get embedded in the micro-pores and small voids on the surface of the concrete. Organic pigments and oils can be very tough stuff, as anyone who has tried to remove grass stains from clothing or clean pine tree sap from hands can attest.

One reason you may be having limited success in removing these types of stains on concrete is that you are using the wrong cleaners. Organic stains require special cleaners targeting organic material. Your typical inorganic concrete degreaser, acid or soap will do next to nothing to remove these types of stains. The best detergent to us is one with bleaching action or ammonia. Typically, detergents designed to remove organic stains (blood, food stains, etc.) work best; OxiClean is one example. Granular detergents offer an added benefit, because they provide additional friction when you scrub the surface.

The other factor at play is time. Organic cleaners are made up of enzymes and bacteria that actually eat or break down the organic material making up the stain. This digestive process is slow, and most organic cleaners require a minimum of 24 hours and possibly as long as 48 hours to work before you can reapply them. Organic cleaners typically do not affect the concrete color or harm the surface because the enzymes only go after organic material, and concrete is as inorganic as you can get. Organic cleaners are readily available at pet stores (dog and cat urine are the most common organic stains) as pet odor and stain removers, as well as through janitorial supply outlets and online directly from the manufacturers.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

Use a pressure washer to remove all solid leaf matter or debris from the concrete.

Apply an organic detergent (as recommended above) to damp concrete. Let it sit for a few minutes.

Scrub vigorously with a stiff broom or scrub brush.

Rinse the concrete with water until you remove all the soap.

If this procedure doesn't completely remove the stains, repeat the process. It's important to note that spot cleaning just those areas where there are stains can result in blotchy concrete. I recommend cleaning the entire concrete slab, or least a larger area, to avoid having blotchy bleached spots.