Your Spring Checklist for Commercial Concrete Maintenance. The trees are blooming, the birds are out, and it's time to inspect your concrete. No, it's not the most exciting of tasks, but it is important - neglecting the health and condition of your concrete can hurt your customers' perception of your business, create safety risks, and lead to expensive repairs down the road.
As the weather warms and it becomes practical to clean your concrete again, working with an expert commercial cleaning company can save you time and extend the lifespan of your property. CleanPro brings years of expertise to each of our customers, and we have experience working with a variety of industries. To get a free quote on your commercial concrete cleaning, call us at (314) 72-CLEAN or send a note online.
Spring Checklist for Commercial Concrete Maintenance:
Our list for spring commercial concrete maintenance includes checking for the following:
Learn about the details for each step below.
Spring Concrete Maintenance Item #1: Cracks
In late winter and early spring, the shifts from warmer day temperatures to colder night temperatures cause the "freeze-thaw cycle." Water sinks into concrete during the day, then freezes and expands at night. This causes cracks to form in the concrete.
Cracks forming this way are extra bad for two reasons:
- It damages the concrete, decreasing its structural integrity and lifespan.
- The new openings allow more water to sink in, exacerbating the issues.
St. Louis weather can fluctuate wildly and suddenly. This is particularly nasty for crack formation, because lots of moisture can pile up on the ground over the winter, which then rapidly melts and absorbs into concrete in early Spring.
Having your concrete properly cleaned early in the spring not only improves the appearance but also removes contaminants that accelerate concrete aging and cracking.
Spring Concrete Maintenance Item #2: Mold or Mildew
Mold and mildew are fungi that can grow on moist, organic materials. Concrete on its own is not a great environment for mold to develop, but in practice, mold is commonly found on ill-kept concrete surfaces. Why? Because of traffic, spills, and weather, dirt and other organic material will fall onto the concrete, sink in, and provide the mold with nutrition to grow.
If you don't regularly wash your commercial building, you risk developing mold and/or mildew problems over time. While this is ugly, mold and mildew go beyond poor appearance into the realm of health and safety hazards.
At CleanPro, we offer an 18 mold-free guarantee. Our hot water and commercial-grade cleaning materials not only clean out the existing mold, but prevent more from growing after it's gone. If any does come back within the 18 months, call us, and we'll come out to take care of it for free.
Spring Concrete Maintenance Item #3: Stains/Discoloration
Stains are important to check for year-round, since spills can happen at any time. But they are essential to check for in the spring, because they can form stealthily over the winter. Spills may be covered up by snow or ice, which can also carry more pollutants and dirt into the concrete once it melts.
While you probably already know how unsightly stains can be, what you may not know is that they can become quite slick when the concrete becomes wet.
Particularly if they were made by something like hydraulic oil, stains can become very slippery. This is because the stain is actually the oil binding to the concrete, not just leaving its color behind.
CleanPro's pressure washing can remove stains before they become set in, preventing them from becoming permanent eyesores or slip-and-fall liabilities.
Spring Concrete Maintenance Item #4: Movement/Shifting
Concrete movement is often related to cracks, but the prevention and repair processes are a bit different. Shifts occur when something in the support base of the concrete slab drastically changes, which in turn can cause the concrete to jut up and settle at odd angles.
The most common cause for movement is erosion of the soil underneath the concrete, which happens similarly to cracks: Moisture gets trapped below the surface, then freezes and thaws, shifting the landscape. Movement can also occur as a result of root growth from nearby trees, going under and pushing up the concrete.
Preventing movement mostly involves making sure that the ground around the concrete is properly supporting it - add dirt to any sides that have worn away, and watch out for areas where the soil tends to run off. If the movement has already occurred, professional help might be needed to level the slabs or use foam to create a smoother transition.
Spring Concrete Maintenance Item #5: Spalling
Spalling Definition: Flaking or chipping from the surface of a material.
Spalling is a common damage type that can occur on concrete over the winter. If you've ever noticed small divots in the concrete that give it a bumpy, uncomfortable texture, that was likely the result of spalling.
Spalling is caused by more surface-level freezes, which break off small chunks rather than creating deep cracks. What's worse, icemelt can exacerbate these issues.
If spalling is already present, cleaning can improve appearance, but repairs may be needed. However, even if there's little or none, it's still important to clean your concrete right away, to remove any leftover salt, ice melt, or other contaminants left over from the winter. This can prevent future damage, and you can look into alternatives for next year.
How a St. Louis Professional Power Washing Company Can Help Protect Your Concrete
Several of the checklist items we noted above can either be prevented or have their impact lessened by early cleaning. Stains can be reduced or eliminated, contaminants can be removed, and mold can be fought back. A professional power washing company like CleanPro can do so thoroughly, without risking extra damage to your concrete from excessive force.
Our methods for concrete cleaning save you time, protect your concrete, and give you an effective clean:
- First, we evaluate the concrete to identify any problem areas and sensitive spots.
- Then, if needed, we use absorbents to remove what contaminants we can.
- We will either power wash or soft wash your concrete, depending on the condition. Either way, our proprietary cleaning materials will attack stains and drive off mold/mildew.
- During the process, we use our vacuum recovery process to pick up all the wastewater to be properly disposed of, rather than letting it run off onto your property.
- After washing, we do a final rinse and check to make sure there aren't any dirty spots leftover.
What's more, we will adjust our operations so that you don't need to shut down for a day while we clean. We take out the stress, and you focus on your business.
Need Help With Your Spring Concrete Maintenance? Call CleanPro Today
At CleanPro, we have over a decade of experience serving St. Louis businesses. Our philosophy is that no job is too big for us to handle or too small for us to care about doing well. Whatever concrete your business needs cleaning, we're ready for the job.
Give your concrete a fresh start this Spring - call us now at (314) 72-CLEAN or reach out online for a free estimate. We offer custom commercial power washing plans, so it's never too early to start thinking about your next wash.