Did you drive up to your home recently and notice a big black stain that wasn’t there before? Suddenly your lovely driveway appears dirty and messy. Maybe your factory floor is looking scruffy and streaked. Because many commercial buildings and residential homes have concrete driveways, pathways, parking lots, ramps, and more, the likelihood that your concrete is going to get stained is pretty high. So what do you do when your concrete gets an unsightly mark?
Learn some common tips in conquering concrete stains.
Common Culprits of Concrete Stains and Marks
Whether it’s your driveway, garage floor, or patio, the concrete sees a lot of traffic and wear and tear. That doesn’t mean it has to show it. And yet, whether it’s a chemical spillage, oil, grease, or other type of stain, the remnants of it can be difficult to erase from a porous surface like concrete.
The most common stains people see on their concrete include:
- Oil and grease. This should come as no surprise. Almost anyone that has ever had a garage or driveway will have witnessed the staining of that concrete over time. These stains are very stubborn and unsightly.
- Rust. This can occur where there are metal tools or other metal materials that rust laying around. When metal rusts and sits on a concrete surface, it will stain the surface with a copper-colored streak.
- Potted plant stains: If a potted plant sits for very long in one spot, it can accumulate moisture there and form a ring on the surface.
- Salt stains: Spreading salt and other materials to help with icy walkways can also cause uneven and stained concrete.
- Red wine: Just like on your shirt, red wine can cause stubborn stains on your concrete surfaces.
- Mildew: These stains can also be caused by plants or other greenery that comes into contact and collects moisture on a concrete surface.
The Cleaning Process: Tackling the Stubborn Stains
As mentioned above, concrete is a hard surface, but it is also porous. This means that chemicals can soak into it quickly, dig in their heels, and tenaciously claim their territory. So how do you tackle these stains?
The first piece of advice is to take care of the stain right away. That is, don’t let it sit and wait. The more time it has to soak in the harder it will be to get it out.
Step 1: Remove the Surface Dirt
Scrubbing away that surface layer of dirt, debris, and grime is the best way to prep your surface for a good treatment. Trying to tackle the stain without clearing out the surface dirt may not produce the best result or make your job more difficult.
Step 2: Try a Spot Treatment
Depending on the type of chemical and how long it has been there, you may have some look with some powerful laundry detergent. To try this step, you want to pour the laundry detergent directly on the stain and use a nylon brush to scrub. Avoid wire brushes on concrete as it can scratch the surface. Rinse with water and let dry.
Step 3: Summon the Pressure of the Power Washer
While small fresh stains might have some luck with the brush and detergent, it is unlikely that it will come off completely. That’s where the magic of the pressure washer comes into play. This handy tool will apply pressure and dig into the porous surface. Make sure to adjust the settings properly to get the right pressure.
More Quick Tips for Specific Stains
Every stain is different. So one formulation will not be equally as effective on every type of stain.
Here’s a couple to note:
- The U.S. The Department of Agriculture has a formulation for mildew stains that can be mixed at home. This includes 1 quart of chlorine bleach into 3 quarts of water. Add ⅓ cup of laundry detergent. Scrub with a brush. Let it sit until the stains turn white and rinse.
- Rust is handled well with acids such as lemon juice. You can then let the lemon juice soak into the surface and use a nylon brush or sponge to scrub the stain. Depending on how deep the stain is, the lemon juice may not be as effective.
Need Some Serious Cleaning? EP Cleaning Solutions Has You Covered
We take care of your cement. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your parking lot, walkways, or other concrete surfaces, our expert team can help get rid of those unsightly blotches. When you hire a professional, you don’t have to worry about damage to your surfaces or surrounding areas, and won’t have to wait around or repeat the process several times.
Most established stains will have a hard time coming off without targeted cleaning.
Want to learn more about what we do. Call EP Cleaning Solutions today.