How to Maintain Interior Concrete Overlay
Concrete overlays are an increasingly popular treatment on residential interior floors. There are many kinds of overlay materials and resurfacing systems, but all involve applying a mixture of cementitious materials, polymers and chemical additives. Installers typically apply a sealant and wax to protect the overlay as part of installation.The overlay still requires proper care and maintenance. This extends the life of the overlay and prevents difficulties with the warranty, should it ever need repair. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Protective felt pads and furniture glides
- Floor and door mats
- Dust Mop
- Wet Mop
- Microfiber mop head
- pH neutral floor cleaner
- Commercial grade wax product
- Floor mats
- Furniture glides or protective footings
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Instructions
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Apply felt pads, plastic glides or other floor protection devices to the bottom of heavy furniture.
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Place doormats at entries to trap dirt and dust. Place floor mats at heavy foot traffic areas to minimize wear. Ensure mats are not backed with rubber, polyvinyl chloride or other plastic backing. These can trap moisture and, according to Audra Lynch of Audra Lynch et Cie, a concrete overlay installation company, they may discolor the sealed floor surfaces. Shake mats out regularly.
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Dust mop the floor daily. This removes dirt and dust, which accumulate and can wear away the floor finish. Joe Welch of Stained by Design, a concrete overlay installer, recommends using a micro-fiber mop head. These collect more dirt and dust than conventional brooms. He also recommends mopping in one continuous movement, not lifting the mop and overlapping strokes on each pass. Vacuum the floor, if preferred.
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Do not clean concrete overlays with solvents or solvent-based cleaners, including gasoline, paint thinner, ammonia, bleach or pine-oil based liquids.
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Clean concrete overlays with a damp mop using cool water and a neutral pH household cleaner like dish washing liquid.
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Wax concrete overlays regularly. Use installer recommended wax products. Concrete overlay flooring is typically sealed with a sealing agent. Commercial grade products containing a minimum of 20 percent wax solids will provide greater protection and durability. Depending upon traffic and wear, wax from every three months to annually.
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Tips & Warnings
Clean the dust mop after each use by shaking it off outside or vacuuming it. Alternatively, wash the microfiber mop head by hand or machine, using hot water and a mild detergent. After washing, the mop head should be air dried or dried on low to medium heat in clothes dryer with other microfiber items so it does not accumulate lint.
Use a synthetic rayon lop-ended mop to wax. Synthetics disperse rather than absorb waxing products, unlike cotton mops.
Avoid wet-type mops as these contain solvents.
References
- Concrete Ideas: Understanding Decorative Concrete Overlays & Resurfacing
- Concrete Network: Clean and Seal Concrete; Ann Balogh
- Concrete Network: Decorative Concrete Overlays; Ann Balogh
- Stained By Design: Care And Maintenance Guide; Joe Welch
- Audra Lynch Et Cie: Care for an Interior Overlay Floor; 2010
- Solcrete: Floor Cleaning and Maintenance Instructions
Resources
- Photo Credit Dynamic Graphics Group/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images
