How to Clean Concrete Surfaces in Nashville

How to clean decorative concrete and keep your surface looking great for many years to come.

Caring for your decorative concrete surface is one of the best ways to preserve its appearance. This patio and pool deck surface was installed by SUNDEK of Nashville for a residence in Thompson Station, TN.

Although installing a high-quality sealer plays a major role in making sure your decorative concrete surface looks really nice for as long as possible, it’s also key to keep up with regular maintenance. Here, we provide an overview of how to care for your decorative concrete.

How to care for your decorative concrete surface

All decorative concrete needs to be maintained. Even a SUNDEK coating, which is known for being easy to care for, requires care.

Here are the basic steps required to care for your decorative concrete surface:

• Remove dust and debris often.
• Wipe up chemical spills and other liquid spills as soon as you see they’ve occurred.
• Apply sealer and reapply it as needed. (Learn why sealers are so important.)
• Clean your surface a few times a year—frequency depends on where its located (inside, outside?) and how often it’s used.
• For indoor surfaces, apply floor wax and use of felt pads or sliding casters to further protect your concrete.

How to clean your surface

A few times a year, it’s important to give your concrete a basic clean to prevent dirt and grime from staining your surface. Staying on top of your cleanings is a great way to keep your decorative concrete looking great for a long time after it’s installed.

Here are steps to take to give it a basic cleaning:

• Sweep or blow off debris such as dust, dirt, leaves, etc.
• Rinse the surface with clean water. If you’re cleaning an outdoor decorative concrete surface such as a concrete patio, you can use a garden hose with a high-pressure nozzle or a power washer. If you’re cleaning an indoor surface, mop it with warm water.
• Scrub dirty areas to address stains. Make sure to use the right tool so you don’t scratch the surface. For example, if you’re scrubbing your pool deck with knockdown texture, you can use a stiff-bristle brush. If you’re scrubbing an interior concrete floor, be sure to use something non-abrasive such as a sponge or wash cloth.

Cleaning your own decorative concrete surface

With the right materials, information, and willingness to put in the time, cleaning concrete floors is a job you can do yourself.

Equipment needed for cleaning decorative concrete

• For outdoor surfaces: Hose or power washer, scrub brush
• For indoor surfaces: Mop and bucket, non-abrasive sponge or cloth
• For indoor and outdoor surfaces: Concrete cleaner to resolve stains

Cleaning products or solutions to use on decorative concrete

You only really need to use cleaning products when you have tough stains that need to be addressed, though you might find it easier to give your surface a general clean when you use them.

Here are some things to keep in mind before applying any products to your surface:

• Make sure it’s formulated for use on a decorative concrete surface.
• The wrong product can possibly etch or discolor your decorative concrete, so if you’re not sure whether it’s appropriate for your surface, always ask a professional contractor.
• There are many products out there—the type you use depends on what type of problem you’re addressing. For example, if you have a grease stain, you’ll want a citrus-based cleaner. If your surface has rust, you’ll want diluted muriatic acid. For mildew, algae, and the like, use trisodium phosphate (TSP). We have a maintenance guide dedicated to cleaning your concrete. It includes specifics on which cleaners to use. See our guide for details.
• Our eco-friendly acid wash is good for stains that are hard to remove. Contact us for availability.

Removing stains from a decorative concrete surface

If you have a high-quality sealer on your surface, it creates a non-porous surface that repels liquids, making it less likely that stains will occur. However, even with the best protection, it’s possible that stains will occur.

If you find yourself with a stain that’s hard to remove, try power washing. (Use the correct setting. If the pressure is too high, you might etch the surface.) If that doesn’t work, try a non-abrasive cleaning solution that’s formulated for your surface type. See the section above and check out our guide for information on getting rid of hard-to-remove stains.

When your surface is beyond cleaning

If your surface has reached a point when even cleaning doesn’t get it looking how you want, don’t worry—that doesn’t always mean you have to tear it out. Here are two ways to get it looking brand-new again:

• Concrete resurfacing. With this option, a contractor will prep your surface then apply a coating right on top of it. You can specify your colors and textures to give it the look you want.
• Concrete staining. With this option, you can liven up a dull surface with color. There are many options to choose from, ranging from neutral shades to bright and vibrant colors.

Find a decorative concrete contractor in the Nashville area

We serve all of Tennessee and surrounding areas, including Paducah, KY; Bowling Green, KY; and Huntsville, AL.

Call us: (615) 822-7134
Email us at [email protected]
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