As a commercial property owner, you need to make sure that your commercial space is always neat, tidy, and well-maintained. A properly manicured landscape and clean pavements create a good first impression on the visitors’ mind and also boost the morale of your employees.
Concrete repair is an important part of commercial property maintenance in Denver and should be done regularly.
Concrete pavement is prone to staining and the sidewalks and parking lots in a commercial property stain a lot. Since these are heavy traffic areas they see a lot of spills and stains like oil spills from vehicles, liquid spills from pedestrians, paint stains, and so much more. But it is possible to get rid of most of the stains. Here are some ways in which you can remove the different types of stains from the concrete pavement.
Oil Stains
Oils stains from vehicles are fairly common and they leave an ugly black splotch on the pavement. If the spill isn’t dry, sometimes it can stick to the shoes and is carried inside the office building as well. Here’s how you can remove oil stains from the concrete pavement.
- Pour some clay on the spill and spread it over the stain with a brush or a broom. Leave it for a couple of hours, overnight if the stain is old, and then sweep in the morning.
- If the mark persists then pour a solution of one cup trisodium phosphate and one gallon of water over the stain. Let it soak for about half an hour and then scrub it off with a nylon-bristled brush. Next, use a pressure washing machine or a hosepipe to power wash the area.
Rust Stains
Metal outdoor furniture can cause rust stains in the concrete sidewalks and they leave orange blotches that are not very pretty to look at. While rust stains are pretty tough but with the following procedures, you can gradually lighten them.
- If the stain is fairly new then pour white vinegar over it, let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, and scrub away with a nylon brush. Repeat the process a couple of times to get rid of the stain.
- For older and larger stains, use a commercial-grade rust remover. Keep in mind that these products are pretty strong so you will need to wear appropriate eye and hand protection. Pour the remover over the area, let it sit for 20 minutes, and then use a hose or a pressure wash to rinse the stain clean. Repeat the process if required.
Stains From Potted Plants
The beautiful plants lining the sidewalks and pavement do improve the curb appeal of your commercial landscaping in Denver but sometimes they can also cause staining in the sidewalks from the pots standing there for a long time. These are pretty tough stains but it is possible to remove them.
- To remove this stain, scrub the stained area with water and dish soap or detergent solution. If the stains seem particularly tough then wet the area with water, sprinkle some dry detergent powder and let it sit for a while. Pour hot water above the area and scrub well with a brush. This should get rid of the stain.
- If the stain still shows then pour distilled white vinegar over the area and let it sit for a few hours and then apply a solution of oxygenated bleach and water in the ratio of 1:2. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes and then again scrub well with hot water.
Paint Stains
Paint spills or paint stains from painting an adjacent wall from the sidewalk are also quite common. These stains can also be removed with the right technique.
- To remove paint stains from a concrete surface, mix paint stripper with some kind of absorbent material such as clay, baby powder, etc., and then with a brush or a sponge smear the paste over the stained area. Make sure to wear gloves for protection. Let the paste sit for half an hour and then with a plastic paint scraper slowly remove the loosened paint patches. For any stains that remain, sprinkle some scouring powder and scrub away with a nylon brush. Rinse the area with a hose or a pressure washer.
