Stamped concrete makes your surroundings beautiful and exudes a sense of durability. The good thing about them is they are not difficult to clean. This article shows you what you need to perform the cleaning, and how to do it.
What You Need
These are the simple tools and materials for the cleaning:
- A broom or leaf blower
- A mop
- Mild detergent or Alkaline degreaser
How To Clean
Let the location of the stamped concrete determine how you proceed, and what to use.
Sweeping
The concrete would likely have dust on it or dirt. The best way to get that out is sweeping with a broom. But if the concrete is located under trees, you may need a leaf blower to make your work faster and convenient. It also helps to get the dust in the grooves of the concrete.
Wet Cleaning
This next activity can be optional. But if this is a weekly cleaning, then you should definitely use a wet mop to clean the surface of the concrete. Like you would regularly do with other cleaning, wet the mop and run it along the surface of the concrete taking a particular car to get the grooves in the floor. Avoid accumulating dirty water. Change it when it gets too murky.
As you clean, take note of spots that are stubborn to remove. For example, grease may not get off with water cleaning alone.
Removing Hard Stains
You can take your cleaning further by using mild detergent for oily stains. This is how to do it after you have removed dust with broom:
- Put a few drops of non-abrasive detergent in clean water
- Mix it together
- Use a clean mop to wash the stamped concrete
- If there is grease or soot on the concrete an alkaline degreaser can be used too
Following these steps will leave your stamped concrete sparkling clean and as beautiful as when you first installed it.
FAQ
How do you make stamped concrete look new?
If your stamped concrete has lost its luster, or color, you can make it look new either by washing or by fixing the color again. Do this:
- Sweep or blow the dust off the concrete
- Wash with mild detergent and leave to dry
- In extreme cases where erosion has defaced the stamped concrete, you will need to wash it with a mild acid
If you need the color to be brighter again you will need to apply a fresh coat. Do this:
- Choose a color especially if you’d like to change the existing one
- Mix the colors properly and roll it on with a roller or brush
- Leave it to dry
Can you use a pressure washer on stamped concrete?
Yes, you can do this. A pressure washer can be necessary if the stains on your stamped concrete are tough ones. If trees hang over your concrete dead leaves may cause deep stains that will make a pressure washer necessary.
How do you clean stamped concrete to reseal?
It is important to do a thorough cleaning before resealing stamped concrete. Make sure all stains are removed.
- After sweeping dust off the concrete, wash with water
- If required, scrub the concrete with trisodium phosphate and water to remove all stains and blemishes from the surface and cracks that may have occurred
Will vinegar damage stamped concrete?
Vinegar will cause your stamped concrete to lose its shine and color. It will cause the sealer on the floor to thin. Vinegar will also cause etching in the concrete. So unless you are looking to reseal, do not use vinegar on your stamped concrete.
Is stamped concrete hard to clean?
No, it is not hard to clean. Maintaining stamped concrete only requires regular sweeping of the dust off, washing with water when required. A scheduled weekend cleaning is enough to keep your stamped concrete looking nice.
Conclusion
You have spent a premium on having stamped concrete built on your patio or other parts of your property. It is important to maintain it properly. Following the tips provided here will surely give you desired results.
