Concrete in Portland (not just Portland concrete!)
Exposed concrete….you’re likely seeing it everywhere you look in developments to new buildings and renovated properties alike. Think Pearl district and close-in Eastside Portland. Over the last 15 years concrete become a substantial interior design trend. Concrete pillars, countertops, and even bathtubs! Concrete is a natural fit for the industrial design aesthetic that is all the hype right now. It lends itself well to open concept layouts in offices. It even pairs well with rustic wood (so Oregon!) In this post we’ll explore why maintaining your interior concrete floors is vital, whether it’s inside of your design firm’s lobby or your sun-drenched condo.
Decorative Interior Concrete
Decorative concrete looks great, is durable, and is a green friendly choice of floor. It goes through processes such as coloring, texturing, molding, etching, embedding items, and so on. These floors can be polished to a smooth glossy surface, or ground and sealed with a clear sealer. In it’s natural state, concrete is semi-porous and if not sealed, or polished, it’s left vulnerable to staining. All it takes is one untimely, toppled glass of red wine during an overzealous toast to irrevocably discolor the floor. Gasp!
What do to if your concrete floors are in really bad shape? First, find out if your concrete was polished, or received a grind and seal treatment. Was it recently unearthed after having been covered by carpet or vinyl for decades? If so, you’d want to get them deep cleaned, and then sealed with an impregnating, penetrating concrete sealer. These sealers penetrate into the concrete to form a chemical barrier that shields against moisture. It’s important to note that this protection is invisible. It does not add a sheen or shine of any kind, but is ideal for maintaining the natural look of your concrete for years to come.
Polished Interior Concrete
Polished interior concrete floors need significantly less maintenance. They’ve been hardened and have a higher surface density. The polishing process involves utilizing heavy-duty grinding machines equipped with diamond pads used to hone the floor into a smooth state. Finer grit diamond pads are used to reached the desired level of shine. An internal, impregnating densifier is also applied during this process. The densifier sinks into the concrete and is invisible to the naked eye. It not only protects the concrete but it also hardens and strengthens it. This eliminates the need for coating the floor with a sealer.
Heavily Soiled Warehouse Concrete.
Concrete in warehouse settings can really take a beating. Things like rubber tire marks, heavy oil spills….overtime the dirt, grime, and grease get ground into it. Collectively, this will darken and spot the floor, especially in high traffic areas. This can be remedied with aggressive scrubbing via floor machines equipped with rotating pads. Areas with heavy oil stains can be further scrubbed and degreased with machines that are weighted down. High pressure and hot water can also make an impact. Our floor technicians have years of experience reviving concrete floors in all conditions. Better cleaning are your experts at cleaning and sealing concrete floors.
Looking for the High-Shine Aesthetic on a Budget?
Does your interior concrete need a new look? Try giving it shimmer and shine with a top sealer. Also known as surface sealer, these water-based sealers are less expensive. But this type of sealer doesn’t last forever and will need to be maintained. Overtime the top sealer can be chipped and worn away, leaving your floor with thin areas of coverage. To prevent this, wear moccasins, tiptoe….or more practically, plan on occasional scrubbing and recoating to ensure even coverage.
We hope this post shines a new light on why it’s important to maintain your interior concrete floors. Better Cleaning has the industrial floor machines and the expertise to clean any size project. For more information contact our customer service staff today!