Forums > Specific Focus > Home, Garden & Construction in Mexico

ebesan

Sep 26, 2009, 7:07 PM

Post #1 of 3 (411 views)

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care for cement floors

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We have a cement floor (color integrale) at the house in Merida.
The floor looks dusty, dull and is hard to keep clean. The cleaners have been using harsh detergents.
We could polish and wax, (alot of $$) or use 'gaz morado' 3,4 times to get the brilliance back.
Need advice for bringing out the color, making it easy to clean, w/out harsh chemicals.

tim
sammy in ny

chinagringo

Sep 27, 2009, 8:30 AM

Post #2 of 3 (385 views)

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Re: [ebesan] care for cement floors

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While I would never claim to be an expert on this subject, I have done a fair amount of research and reading on the topic. From what I have gathered, I would give the cement floors a thorough cleaning and then allow enough time for any residual moisture that has been absorbed by the concrete to evaporate. Then I would purchase the very BEST sealer available in the local market and apply with a sheepskin applicator in enough coats to give a visible seal over the entire surface, Depending on personal preference, sealers can be purchased in various sheen options.

Detailed preparation and application, while somewhat tedious, will pay off in the long run and reduce future maintenance issues resulting in a far more satisfactory surface for the homeowner!
Regards,
Neil
Albuquerque, NM

mcm

Oct 6, 2009, 11:34 AM

Post #3 of 3 (300 views)

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Re: [ebesan] care for cement floors

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In general, if the concrete floors were well-polished upon installation, they should hold up well under regular use.
You don't specify what the "harsh detergents" were -- under normal use, a cleaner like Fabulosa, very diluted, should do the trick of cleaning up dirt/spills. After the floors are swept and washed with a wet (wrung out) or damp mop (using diluted cleaner like Fabulosa), you (or whoever) should go over them again with a dry mop, to bring up the shine. If you let water stand and dry naturally, the floors will be dull, because there will be a slight residue from the water -- this is why the last polishing step is important.
Most cleaners use a squeegee, with a cloth wrapped around it, and this set up seems to give the best results -- sponge mops or string mops seem to leave streaks.

Be very sure that muriatic acid (commonly used in cleaning ceramic tiles, to remove sarro -- build up of minerals from hard water--) NEVER is used, even in the most diluted concentrations, on concrete floors.

If the floor finish seems worn (you don't say whether this is a new floor or not), then you should probably have it repolished. I don't think a sealer, or wax is necessary, or even desirable. But, that's just my opinion.

Hope this helps -- good luck!