How to clean a concrete floor. We wash the dried and dirty concrete. Overview of effective solvents

Cleaning concrete floors from oil stains

Where does the oil on the concrete floor come from? What is its origin?

The thing is that the concrete floor is equipped in repair shops, garages, in closed parking lots, in production workshops, that is, where mechanisms work and vehicles move. Therefore, splashes of machine oil appear on the concrete floor, which fly out of the engine, drip from leaking oil seals, etc.

In factories where vegetable and mineral oils are made, they can spill during packaging and transportation.

But most importantly, how to clean the concrete floor of oil in order to stop the accumulation of greasy stains on the surface?

Why oil must be removed on time

First of all, the oily floor becomes dangerous for movement. Oil (mineral or vegetable) creates a thin adhesive film on the concrete floor. On a slippery surface, any worker can fall and be injured.

Secondly, various debris and dust very quickly stick to oily puddles. After a short time, the entire surface of the concrete goes beyond any sanitary and hygienic standards.

Thirdly, the accumulation of oil in one place makes the room a fire hazard. Any spark can ignite. Burning oils give off a lot of smoke, which can cause severe asphyxiation.

How to clean a concrete floor from oil without breaking the floor foundation?

Proven Ways to Remove Oil from Concrete Floors

When starting cleaning work, it is necessary to take into account several important factors:

  • how long ago the oil spilled on the concrete;
  • degree of adhesion of oil to concrete;
  • the thickness of the layers of accumulated dirt;
  • extent of pollution.

After determining all the important points, it is easier to choose a method than to clean the concrete floor of oil.

  1. The dry cleaning method is suitable for fresh oil stains. They are covered with dry sand, cement, caustic soda, and then simply swept away from the surface.
  2. Washing off the oil with detergents or organic solvents. The washing procedure is quite long and laborious. First, the floor is poured with water and detergents or the stains are covered with a solvent, and then the oil stains are wiped off with a stiff brush and a rag. After drying, some of the spots appear again on the concrete floor. Oil tends to soak into the porous structure of concrete.
  3. A chemical wash is exactly what you need to get the desired result. A special detergent breaks down fat molecules, penetrating into the depths of the concrete. A slight chemical reaction does not destroy the concrete floor, but it completely removes even dried oil.

Benefits of a special chemical wash

  • It has a suitable consistency for application on a concrete floor.
  • Economical to use.
  • It is completely washed off with water along with exfoliated fat.
  • Works on both fresh and dried oil stains.
  • Does not require additional disposal.
  • Simple and easy to apply on concrete.
  • Safe for human health.

DOCKER MAZBIT TURBO - concentrated industrial cleaner for all types of heavy dirt. Designed for effective quick cleaning of any surfaces: parts, assemblies, mechanisms, plastics, general building materials (concrete, stone, tile, asphalt) from various oil-fat and oil-based contaminants, fuels and lubricants, lubricants, graphite, fuel oil, oil.
Has no smell. Acid free.

Concrete is a durable and versatile material. It is the basis and standard for flooring. Often concrete floors are left unfinished. A concrete floor can be smooth or rough, and can be uniquely designed and painted.

Whatever type of concrete it is, in order to keep it clean and increase its durability, it is necessary to properly monitor it.

In this article, you will learn how to wash a concrete floor. It doesn't matter if it's the floor in your home or office, indoor or outdoor, if you follow these instructions, your floor will last you a long time.

In our company you can order cleaning after the repair of your apartment.

Method one - define the strategy

Method two - maintenance of interior concrete floors


Method Three - Cleaning External Concrete Floors


Method Four - Removing Stains from Concrete Floors


Hints

Apply a special protective wax to your concrete floors every three years.

Contact the professionals of our cleaning company.

Precautions

What do you think about this? What else can be added to the above?

Cracks in concrete appear quite often. This happens for various reasons: due to wear of the material, increased loads or improper pouring. However, it is quite possible to repair a cracked concrete floor. For this, you do not even need to hire specialists from outside. Repairing a concrete floor with your own hands is not at all such a difficult task as it might seem at first glance.

Any coating will break down over time. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor all the changes that occur and make repairs on time. In this case, the concrete floor or platform will last a long time and truly.

Stages of concrete repair

The work that is needed to bring cracked floors back to normal can be divided into 2 stages:

  1. Floor preparation.
  2. Applying fresh concrete patches over potholes.

Each stage will require care and accuracy in the performance of work. In addition, today there are many additives and special solutions that will help prepare the concrete floor for repairs, and then ensure the long life of the patches.

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Preparation of concrete floors: mechanical cleaning

Stages of repairing a concrete floor: preparing the floor for repair, applying cement to a crack.

In order to properly prepare a cracked concrete floor for the intended repair, it must first be cleaned of loose and loose pieces. This will require the following tools:

  1. Metal brush.
  2. Chisel.
  3. A hammer.
  4. Brush or broom for sweeping.

Work on preparing the concrete floor for repair is carried out in the following order:

  1. Cracks are treated with a metal brush to remove loose pieces.
  2. The problem area of ​​the floor is carefully swept.
  3. The edges of the cracks are tapped with a hammer to find places where there are hidden defects.
  4. With the help of a chisel and a hammer, cracks are filled (removal of defective edges and fragments).

Further, the sequence of actions depends on the size of the embroidered cracks. If their number is small, and the depth is not more than 5 cm, then mechanical cleaning of concrete floors can be dispensed with. In this case, the last step in preparing the concrete floors for repair will be to cover the cracks with a special compound. This is done in order to enhance adhesion (gluing) between the old floor covering and the concrete patch. Usually 3 types of compositions are used:

If dirt has eaten into the concrete, then it can be cleaned chemically or mechanically. If cracks form, they need to be patched.

  1. Acrylic primers for concrete.
  2. PVA primers.
  3. Epoxy compounds.

It should be noted that acrylic and PVA primers differ in the method of application from epoxy compounds. The first are applied exclusively on dry concrete. Filling of potholes is done only after the primers have dried. However, in the event that epoxy compounds are applied during the repair, the concrete must first be moistened. The patch is applied over the potholes before the epoxy dries. Acrylic and PVA primers can also be applied in two layers: this improves adhesion. Primers can be applied with a brush or roller.

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Preparation of floors for repair: chemical cleaning

If the number of cracks is too large or the crack depth is more than 5 cm, and the concrete surface crumbles literally at hand, mechanical cleaning cannot be limited to one.

A chemical cleaning must be carried out, which will not only reveal hidden micro-defects, but also help to avoid the appearance of a “cold joint” at the border of the old concrete floor and the new patch.

Diagram of the section of concrete to be removed.

It should be noted that tension always arises in the “cold joint” area due to difficulties in redistributing the load from the upper layers of concrete to the lower ones. This greatly shortens the life of the patch. Do-it-yourself chemical cleaning (or chemical milling) of the floor is performed using special compounds. The most famous of them is "HIMFREZ Cleaner".

It should be noted that it is always used in conjunction with "HIMFREZ Activator", which is applied after the cleaner and enhances the setting between the old concrete and the fresh concrete patch. The first composition is designed to open concrete micropores, identify microdefects and remove the surface film, and the second to improve adhesion.

When using the activator, it is no longer necessary to cover the concrete with primers or epoxy compounds. Before starting the chemical treatment of concrete floors, you must first make a complete mechanical cleaning of the floor. It should also be noted that all work with the compositions of "HIMFREZ" must be carried out in compliance with the rules of technical safety. To do this, you will have to stock up in advance with a mask, glasses, a hat and work overalls. During operation, contact with the skin or mucous membranes should be avoided.

After mechanical cleaning, “Chimfrez” is applied to the crack

After mechanical cleaning, “HIMFREZ Cleaner” is applied to the cracks. This is done with a brush. Then you need to wait exactly 1 hour, then quickly walk along the edges of the cracks with a metal brush.

If pieces begin to separate from the concrete, this means that there are many microcracks in the concrete that this composition has opened. In this case, you will have to re-treat the defect area with a cleaner. Then you need to wait another 1 hour and immediately start applying "HIMFREZ Activator" to the cracks. 1 hour after applying the activator, you can immediately proceed to the next stage of repair - patching.

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Concreting floor cracks

To perform this stage of repair, you will need the following tools and auxiliary materials:

The scheme of repairing a crack in the seam.

  1. Ready frames for cracks.
  2. Container for mixing cement-sand mixture.
  3. Sandpaper (large grit).

It should be noted that frames for cracks are usually made of wooden slats, with an edge no larger than 2 cm. The dimensions of the frames should be 2-3 cm larger than the cracks on each side. The process itself will not take long. First, a cement-sand mixture is kneaded. As a rule, the ratio of cement and sand is either 1:3 or 1:2. A mixture of 1:3 is used in cases where additives are added to cement that increase the wear resistance of the mixture. However, if you do not plan to use additives or plasticizers, it is better to choose a cement to sand ratio of 1:2.

The cement itself must be M400 or M500, otherwise the patches on the potholes will not last long. When mixing the mixture, attention should be paid to the details. Sand is desirable to choose fine or medium fraction, clean, without lumps and random large fragments. The water for mixing the mixture must also be clean, without the slightest impurities, as they lead to cracks in the supplied patches. However, too much water should not be added: the patch mixture should not drain from the shovel, but fall off it in large fragments.

In order for the repaired floor to last for a long time, reinforcing elements such as fiberglass or fiberglass can be added to the patch mixture. Both 900g and 600g fiber packs are available on the market, so purchasing a small amount of fibers is not difficult. When reinforcing fibers are added to the cement-sand mixture, the service life of the patches, their resistance to abrasion and impact resistance increase significantly. In addition, a plasticizer (complex additive) can be added to the mixture. For example, M5Plus, which is well combined with a reinforcing fiber and provides increased wear resistance of patches. The sequence of work when applying patches during repairs is as follows:

  1. Setting the frame.
  2. Application of cement to the area of ​​cracks.
  3. Removing the protruding upper part of the patch with a grinder (grinder) or sandpaper.

Removal of the protruding part of the patch should be done only after the cement has completely set. Considering that the thickness of the patch is relatively small, it is quite enough to wait 7 days and then process the patch with a grinder or sandpaper.

After the repair of the floors with your own hands is completed, you can walk on the floors with compounds that help protect concrete from corrosion. This procedure is called concrete dedusting. For it, thin-layer protective compounds (Elanor-PU, Neomer-LP, Amphora-formula) and polymeric protective compounds (Retroplay, Elanor-ED Primer, Elast-Pu) are used. All of them are applied with a brush in 2 layers. The dust removal will help to further increase the service life of the repaired concrete floors. If desired, the delivered patches can be even more durable than the base on which they are placed.


During the operation of the concrete floor, due to the influence of external factors, it is erased and then a myriad of dust appears in the room. In the event that the floor is more or less high quality, there will be a corresponding amount of dust. If we are dealing with low-quality concrete, then the situation becomes more complicated and the work process is delayed. Since we are dealing with dust, and housewives have been struggling with it for centuries, we need to take seriously the elimination of such a substance as dust. Concrete mainly consists of cement, cement, in turn, causes irreparable harm if it enters the respiratory tract. Consider several options when it is necessary to qualitatively dedust the floor:

  1. Firstly, when the concrete floor is laid directly;
  2. 2. When the concrete is already poured or if the concrete surface has been subjected to some kind of manipulation;
  3. 3. Well, and thirdly, if this is a production room, in order to protect the floor from damage.

How to remove dust from a concrete floor

You can go two ways in the fight against dust. One of them is the impregnation of the concrete pavement. Impregnations are quite effective and differ in type:

  1. organic;
  2. inorganic.

The components of organic impregnations are acrylic, polyurethane. Impregnations are also used, which include epoxy resin. The principle of operation of the primer is to fill microcracks, porous formations.

Floor impregnation

Fluates are included in inorganic primers, they act beneficially on concrete. Thanks to him, all particles that could subsequently dissolve become insoluble. Due to this treatment, the floor will become more durable and stop dusting.

Both types of primer will not only remove dust from the surface, but also prolong its life. Now moisture, chemistry, and in the end, frost will not be so dangerous for them.

Preparatory work before applying impregnation to the concrete floor

Preparatory work before applying the impregnation must be carried out in a certain order:

  • To begin with, the decks and underlays must be removed, they must be packed and removed. If your floor was covered with linoleum, carpet or laminate, and such coatings, we don’t read this paragraph further, move on to the next one. If you had parquet, then you need to wait a day for the dust that rose during the dismantling of the coating to settle;
  • Now we take the vacuum cleaner, it is better to do it twice. After waiting for some time between the first and second time. A powerful device will do just fine, but an industrial construction vacuum cleaner still remains a priority;
  • Let's move on to wet cleaning. We wash the surface in the usual way - with a mop and a rag. It is necessary to wash the floor twice;
  • We complete the process with dry cleaning. And again we take up the vacuum cleaner, the concrete dust will not give up so easily, we apply tough measures to it and vacuum it twice.

This information was not taken from the head, there is a normative act SNiP dated 03/02/2013 - 88 called “FLOORS. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND RULES FOR DESIGN, DEVICE, ACCEPTANCE, OPERATION AND REPAIR"

Preparatory work

Before dusting, the floor is sanded for perfect evenness, and the next step is the second phase of dedusting. It is unforgettable that the most favorable temperature will be a temperature above five degrees Celsius. Concrete must be 90 percent dry - this will allow the impregnation to penetrate into the very depths of the floor.

Referring to the regulatory document, do not forget that the surface of the concrete floor must be rough.

Impregnation of the concrete floor with fluate

If you will be painting the concrete floor, it is best to use an inorganic primer. How to do it better:

  • Fluate is a concentrated solution that we prepare before use. To do this, we take water and dilute at the rate of 200 ml per square meter. It is enough to pour the resulting mixture on the floor;
  • Now it is necessary to distribute evenly over the entire surface and rub until completely absorbed. You can use rubber brushes, scrapers. If the solution is prepared correctly, it will not dry for a long time, about twenty minutes. Then the excess is removed with a rag.

Painting the floor should begin no earlier than 24 hours later.

Applying mortar to the floor

organic impregnation for concrete floors

Primer based on polyurethane, the most versatile impregnation method. It enhances wear resistance, impact resistance, as well as water and chemical resistance. Penetrates to a depth of 3mm. The advantages include the use in frost, even at such low temperatures as 30 degrees Celsius.

Let's analyze the advantages of acrylic primers. They should be used in a room that is intended for a living room. Perhaps for the floor, which as a result will be covered with laminate or maybe parquet.

Concrete floor primer

Proteksil - this primer forms a high-strength surface, is indifferent to the effects of chemical reagents.

If for some reason you don't want to use a solvent, consider an epoxy based primer. Its dry residue will be one hundred percent.

Want to get a lacquered floor? Buy primer Azure. It gives the floor a decorative look. This impregnation can be applied over any other.

Making the concrete floor as strong as possible

You need to harden the concrete floor. We will use a topping coating that will retain its original appearance for a long time in industrial and warehouse premises. With the help of a concrete smoothing machine, a special mixture is rubbed into the floor. The mixture is prepared from cement and other special substances. The choice of mixture quality depends on the expected loads. Thanks to this coating, we get a non-slip, water-repellent, heavy-duty floor. The final step will be grouting the surface.

concrete smoothing machine

Safety rules for hardening concrete floors

When working with impregnations, extreme caution must be exercised. They contain ruthless components. Use gloves that can withstand acid. Take a plastic container for raw materials. If product gets on skin, rinse with plenty of water.

Summing up

The use of impregnations for dedusting helps us get rid of many problems. Helps to keep clean everything that will subsequently stand on this floor. The floor does not gather dust, does not collapse. Good looking.

Video on dedusting a concrete floor

Careless builders cause a lot of trouble, one of which is concrete pollution. This material has good adhesion to metal, brick, stone, and therefore it is very difficult to remove it. If metal tools can be washed with a high-pressure apparatus, then with finishing materials everything is more difficult.

Principles of operation of various solvents

You may have seen how builders pour some kind of liquid on the soiled areas of the surfaces, which begins to hiss. This is how acids act - the main components of modern concrete solvents. It seems that everything is simple and there is a temptation to make such a tool with your own hands, but you need to know some points.

Products designed to remove dried concrete and cement from metal tools consist of three components:

  • the acid itself, more often - mineral;
  • corrosion inhibitor;
  • water or other liquid.

Manufacturers do not always indicate exactly which acid is used in the product. The definition of "mineral" is quite broad. There can be many options and, if you make a mistake, you can not wash, but spoil the treated surfaces. Therefore, we recommend buying ready-made products and not inventing.

Acid, penetrating into the concrete layer, destroys it. This explains the formation of foam. The concentration of the main substance is selected in such a way as not to have a negative impact on the treated surfaces. But still, manufacturers recommend starting work from inconspicuous areas.

Also, concrete solvents, despite the assurances of sellers, can be harmful to health. Acid fumes can irritate mucous membranes and be a source of asthma, allergies, and chemical burns.

General instructions for use

All solvents and concrete washes are applied according to a certain scheme. There are minor nuances or restrictions in use, we will discuss this below. In general, follow the following sequence of work.

  1. Using plain water, wash the surface from dirt and dust. If possible, use a brush.
  2. Let the contaminated area dry.
  3. Apply the solution to the surface using a sponge, brush or trigger (sprayer).
  4. Wait 15 minutes (foaming intensity will decrease).
  5. Rinse the broken concrete with water.

Fresh cement milk is washed off immediately. Older stains require multiple treatments. You can speed up the process with a Karcher-type washing HP if it does not destroy the surface.

When working with solvents, follow the safety rules.

  1. Protect your eyes with goggles
  2. Protect your respiratory organs with a cotton-gauze bandage or a respirator.
  3. Wear gloves to prevent chemical burns.
  4. If working indoors, ensure ventilation.
  5. Ask the seller for a certificate of conformity for the products.

Wash concrete thinner that gets into eyes or on skin with soap and water. If you feel worse, consult a doctor, tell us what remedy you used.

Review of effective solvents.

We will tell you which concrete and cement solvents have won the trust of Russian builders. The selection is based on average cost, effectiveness, safety and a number of other parameters.

Name Solvent Description special instructions
"Lepta Himfrez" Designed for cleaning brick and concrete surfaces from limescale, cement laitance and concrete contamination. Work at a temperature not lower than 5°С. Subsequent sandblasting is allowed. Consumption 2-4 l/m 2 .
"BIO DECAP'BETON GUARD" Can be used as an alternative to products containing phosphoric acid. Designed for cleaning tools and equipment from cement deposits. Shake the canister before use. It is impossible to dilute the composition. The solution is applied with a sprayer, first to an inconspicuous place.
Barracuda 10K It is used for cleaning of concrete of any surfaces, including a tile and a brick. Also suitable for cleaning tires, car paintwork, etc. Does not contain acids. It is forbidden to use AVD for application. Not recommended for use on chromed surfaces and low quality stainless steel.
Lugato Zementschleier entferner Dissolves cement and lime scale. Can be used to clean sanitary ware, including bathtubs. It is forbidden to wash marble and related materials.
EK 100 "Super" Dissolves any building compositions based on cement. Can be used for cleaning construction mixers. Diluted in proportions, based on the destination.
"Divinol Betonloeser" Topical concrete solvent for cleaning construction machinery and tools. Do not use on aluminium, brass or copper surfaces.

Thinner B 100 T (HWR B-100) can be used to protect metal tools, equipment and formwork. It creates a microfilm on the surface and reduces the adhesion of cement compositions to various surfaces. After work, the tool can be washed with plain water to remove the remnants of the product.