How Long Will Polished Concrete Floors Last?

When you are investing in something like a polished concrete floor, you are going to want an idea of how long it is going to last. A polished concrete floor’s longevity and durability are part of why it has become so popular in recent years. These days, it has become the default flooring choice for many, particularly in high-footfall areas and commercial environments such as hotels, retail spaces, restaurants, warehouses, and office buildings.

The lifespan of a polished concrete floor

Polished concrete floors are known for their durability and long life span. They are tough, hard-wearing, and unlike softer flooring surfaces, will not dent or chip. Generally, a well-laid polished concrete floor from somewhere like Concrete Epoxy 101 should last for a minimum of twenty years. However, with the correct maintenance and care, it is more than possible that it could last a lifetime.

Quality finishing and protection are essential

While it can last a lifetime, the quality of the installation, finishing, and protection of a concrete polished floor goes a long way. If these are not done properly, it will significantly impact the polished concrete floors’ lifespan.

Polished concrete will have been treated with a chemical densifier and ground with progressively finer tools. It is not all that dissimilar to wooden floors being refinished with a floor sander. The grinders gradually grind down the concrete until it is smooth, polished, and has a high shine to the surface. The chemical treatment is vital for densifying and hardening the exposed top layers of the cement paste.

Without this crucial part of the process, the life expectancy of a polished concrete floor can be significantly reduced. The chemical treatment changes the molecular structure of the concrete, enabling it to be denser and, therefore, stronger. The smoothing process also helps to boost the light reflective level and produce a shiny, finished look.

Maintaining your polished concrete floor

Maintenance is also a key part of extending your polished concrete floor’s lifespan and making sure it looks good. Fortunately, concrete polished floors are easy to look after. Some of the things that you should do include:

Dry mopping the polished concrete floor every day – the ability of a polished concrete floor to resist surface abrasion wear is diminished when dirt is allowed to accumulate on the floor.

Wet mopping once a week, using warm water and a gentle PH cleaner to remove debris and dirt particles. Concrete that has been polished and cleaned with acidic cleaners do not combine very well. Concrete floors are susceptible to having their pores eroded by chemicals such as bleach, ammonia, vinegar and citrus, so avoid using these.

Make sure any spills are cleaned up straight away. If they are left, they could penetrate the surface and cause damage.

Put down mats by doors to protect the flooring from gravel, ice, oil, salt, and other materials from outside.

Applying a sealant to your polished concrete floor

Finally, sealing your concrete after it has been done is something that you should consider doing in order to help maintain your polished concrete creations and boost the longevity of your flooring. This will not only make cleaning and maintenance of your polished concrete floors much simpler, but it will also help maintain the gloss and look you want to achieve with your flooring. Sealants, in their most basic form, will assist in making your flooring non-porous, which will assist in preventing liquids from penetrating the surface and causing significant and lasting damage.

Your polished concrete floors will have a much longer lifespan if you keep them clean on a routine basis, do maintenance on them on a weekly and monthly basis, and make sure the surface is properly sealed. In the event that you see any damage, such as cracking, deep scratches, or chipping, it is imperative that you contact a flooring specialist such as Concrete Epoxy 101 as soon as possible in order to get it repaired. If you let damage go unrepaired for an extended period of time, there is a greater chance that your flooring will not endure as long as they otherwise would. Make use of these suggestions to get the most out of your investment and to maintain the good looks and functionality of your polished concrete floors for a good many years to come.

For more information on polished concrete floors, get in touch with the team at Concrete Epoxy 101 today.