For most homeowners it doesn't necessarily sound fun to clean concrete. In fact, many people just let stains, especially oil stains on the driveway, stay put without really do anything about them. However, even if you have oil stains that have been on your driveway for years, or if it seems like your sidewalks are permanently stained with dirt, there are still some very effective ways to clean even the most severe concrete stains. This article explains how to best clean the most typical stains you will find on a concrete surface on a residential property.
Oil Stains
Oil stains on the driveway are not only annoying because they're so hard to remove, but also because they can be so visible. When you pull your car off the driveway, oil stains can be right there for everybody to see.
You just start by trying to remove the oil stains with a pressure washer. Renting a pressure washer for single day can be useful in many ways. It is cheap and easy way to remove all sorts of stains from all sorts of surfaces. Concrete is particularly easy to clean with a pressure washer because you can run it at maximum power without the risk of damaging the concrete.
In many cases, you'll be able to remove the oil with just the water pressure. If this isn't working, you can use trisodium phosphate (TSP), or a similar heavy duty cleaner to break down the oil stain and help separate it from the concrete. Some people even use bleach or paint thinner to help break down oil. Obviously, with bleach you run the risk of actually dying your concrete color, but this might not necessarily be a bad thing.
Dirt and Grass Stains
Dirt and grass stains are usually easier to remove, but they can be more time consuming if only because more of the concrete is likely to be covered in dirt. Oil stains are usually just in a few spots but dirt can cover the entire surface. At the same time, most dirt and grass stains don't need any heavy duty cleaning supplies. A little bit of liquid soap, when used with a pressure washer, will probably get the job done.
Ultimately, any concrete cleaning job is going to be so much easier if you invest in a pressure washer. Nonetheless, it is going to be messy work and it might take some time. Contact a service, like Claggett & Sons Inc, for more help.