Poor maintenance can bring down even the most high-end paving. On the other side, you can bring back the oldest concrete slabs to life with the right cleaning and maintenance routine.
You might have seen many best- and worst-maintained concrete slabs in Geelong. But do you see what sets them apart?
Here are the top cleaning and maintenance hacks that the best homeowners put to use.
1. Removing weeds
It’s natural to see weeds growing out of your paving. Many homeowners find it pesky yet postpone the necessary care. They think it’s a huge job, but it’s not.
How?
● To handle this job, you may use weed killers. But make sure they are appropriate to use on the concrete you have.
You can even scrape out the majority of weeds on concrete. Also, you can maintain regular brushing as it prevents them from growing again.
2. Cleaning garden slabs
Often neglected, garden slabs are another tricky area to clean and maintain. But it only needs simple maintenance.
How?
- Scrub them in soapy water using a washing-up liquid to clean them thoroughly.
- To remove the filth, scrub it with a brush after sprinkling the soapy water over your pavement.
- You may also use a power washer, but be cautious since excessive usage might harm the joints and slabs.
- Using cleansers and stain removers that are specialised for the task is the best approach to clean garden concrete slabs.
3. Cleaning unsealed concrete
Concrete floors can be sealed and unsealed. It’s important to identify what type of flooring you have because its maintenance and cleaning depend on it.
A simple way to distinguish both is by pouring water on them. Unsealed concrete slabs absorb water (and the area darkens), whereas a sealed one doesn’t.
This is how you clean an unsealed concrete patio.
- Clear the patio of all the furniture and clean it well.
- The concrete should next be wetted down using a garden hose with a spray nozzle.
- Mix one cup of baking with two cups of distilled White vinegar. You may need to double or quadruple the amounts, depending on the size of the patio.
- Apply the mixture to the concrete using a sponge mop.
Give the mixture about 30 minutes to rest on the concrete surface.
- Use a nylon-bristled brush to scrub the entire surface. Don’t use metal brushes as they might leave little metal pieces in the concrete that can rust.
- Rinse the cleaning liquid off the surface. Spray clean water on any shrubs or grass near the patio that may have vinegar and baking soda splatters.
Let the concrete completely air dry before restoring any furniture or accessories to avoid staining.
4. Removing red mud and rust stains
Grills and furniture legs can leave rust stains that are particularly challenging to get rid of. And this is how you treat them.
- Apply the cleanser to the stained area, then scrub with a nylon-bristled brush.
- Cleanse the area with clean water, then let it air dry. If the stain persists, repeat.
But remember, rust stains must be removed before tending to mildew stains, as rust stains can be permanently set in with chlorine bleach.
5. Fixing mildew stains
Sometimes, exposure to dampness results in mildew stains. And the answer to these stubborn stains is chlorine bleach because oxygen-based bleach removes the spots without destroying the spores.
- Combine a solution of one part chlorine bleach with two parts water.
- You’ll need to shield the lawn and shrubs from the solution as bleach burns the greenery. Also, wear old clothes and safety goggles.
- Apply the bleach solution to the stained areas with a spray bottle or a mop.
- Depending on how deep the stains are, give the cleaner anywhere from five to thirty minutes to work.
Use a nylon-bristled brush to scrub the concrete, and then thoroughly rinse with an outdoor hose.
A power washer offers a significantly stronger jet of water to blast away the dirt for really tough stains.
6. Removing grease stains
As concrete is porous, grease should be removed as quickly as possible because the longer it remains, the deeper it penetrates.
But if it has already happened, be patient; it can take many times to remove grease stains completely.
- Apply a thick (at least an inch) coating of cat litter or cornstarch over the grease stain.
- Leave it on the stain for up to three days.
- Check the stained area. Repeat step one if the stain is still there.
- If the stain is almost gone, spray the area with a commercial degreaser and scrub the stain with a nylon-bristled brush.
- Use a garden hose to rinse, then let dry. Repeat as necessary.
7. Cleaning polished floors
Cleaning and maintaining polished concrete surfaces are straightforward as they’re already protected from most stains.
But occasionally, some sticky stains may appear out of nowhere. And here’s how to get rid of them.
- Dust off the surface by wiping it off with a rag or dust mop that is slightly moist.
- Fill a bucket with warm water and a little pH-neutral dishwashing liquid or soap.
Alternatively, you might also use a solution of one part vinegar to eight parts water.
- Mop and clean the solution. Then clean again with warm and clear water.
Allow the floor to air dry.
Conclusion
Yes, the cost of a concrete house slab in Geelong is affordable, and they are durable. But that doesn’t mean they can withstand poor maintenance. Most of the damage that concrete slabs endure arises out of neglect.
That is why it is important for all homeowners to know how to care for their concrete slabs. We hope these 6 cleaning and maintenance tips help you. If you are busy handling these on your own, there are also many service providers available that are experts in this area.
Either way, take good care of your concrete slabs.
