How to Prevent Stains on your Concrete
The best way to prevent stains from forming on your concrete is to seal it. If your concrete surface is indoors, like a garage floor, sealing your cement will help prevent automotive stains. Since concrete is porous, it will absorb liquids and cause staining unless a sealer is applied. If your concrete surface is outside, it too will need a sealer on it to prevent staining. Right now in Northeast Ohio, the leaves are falling and without a sealer, your concrete driveway could acquire some leaf stains from debris piling up and laying on the surface.
While you can’t prevent every accidental spill onto your cement, you can protect your concrete with a quality sealer. If you want to take the do-it-yourself route, there are some steps you’ll need to follow to ensure the sealer properly adheres to the cement:
Clear the surface of any dirt or debris.
If the surface is outside, you can pressure wash it to remove discoloration that has built up.
Clean with a heavy duty cleaner depending on the type of stains you have (like a degreaser for an oil stain under your car on the garage floor).
Let thoroughly dry. The sealer won’t adhere to a damp surface.
Apply the sealer.
Apply a second coat of sealer.
Let it dry.
If you are working with new concrete, whether inside or outside, you’ll need to give it a couple of weeks to cure before sealing it.
If you aren’t interested in tackling a project like this on your own, give us a call at 330-659-6686 or visit our website to get in touch. We would love to help you! At Cutting Edge Concrete, we provide cleaning and sealing services. We have a knowledgeable team that understands how concrete responds to the environment and to different chemicals. Our cleaning and sealing process starts with an in-person inspection of your concrete surfaces. We assess the age, condition, and finish of the surface. Before cleaning or sealing, we address any repairs that need to be made. We understand concrete and can advise you on how to maintain it.