Concrete Stain Removal |
Posted: October 26, 2013 |
Removing stains from concrete.
Always try to remove spills as soon as possible from the concrete surface so they do not have time to penetrate. This will help avoiding the possibility of permanent contamination. For large spills try to preventing the spill from spreading further than it needs to reducing the size of the area to be cleaned. Paper towels, cloths and kitty-litter make excellent absorbent materials to soak up contaminants. Avoided wiping spills as this will spread/drive oil into the concrete. Unsealed concrete can draw in stains deep below the surface and deep can be very difficult to remove. The right film or topical sealers will form a barrier on top of the concrete and will stop concrete from absorbing spills. Topical sealers can have colours added to them, along with hardeners and non slip grits if required. Sealers can be applied to new or existing concrete after cleaning or grinding.
Before using cleaning or stripping chemicals on concrete it is very important to do a small test in an inconspicuous place. This is needed to assess the effect of the chemical and evaluate any surface damage. Cleaned areas may differ in colour and texture to the surrounding concrete surface. It may be required to clean the entire area to give a uniform effect.
Solvents and Paint Stripper. Solvents like Mentholated Spirits, Acetone and degreasers are excellent at removing oils, fats, chewing gum and silicones. First manual remove as much as the contaminant as possible by scraping or towelling and apply a generous amount of solvent. Cover and let dwell for 20 minutes. Pressure wash and repeat if necessary. For paint use the same method with a mild paint stripper.
Acid Cleaning Safety precautions should always be used when using hydrochloric and phosphoric acid cleaners. Please refer to the manufactures MSDS. Acid based cleaners are excellent at removing calcium and salt build ups, rust, clay and brick mortar. Strong acids will etch the surface of concrete so tests must be performed prior to use to assess surface damage. If neutralization is required 1 part Ammonia to 8 parts water will neutral without leaving any residue.
Liquid chlorine. Mould, fungi and dirt’s are easily removed with one part Liquid Pool Chlorine and 5 parts water. First lightly pressure the surface then apply the chlorine mix with a watering can. Spread and scrub the mix with a stiff bristled broom and leave to dwell for 30min. Pressure cleaning and repeat if necessary.Do not do in the heat of the day as the chlorine mix will evaporate very quickly. Phosphate-based cleaning products such as sugar soap can be added to the chlorine mix to assist mould and oil removal.
For more detailed advice on stain removal in concrete contact http://www.cleaningandsealing.com.au/concrete/paver-concrete-cleaning/
|
||||||||||||||||||
|