A garage can be a valuable asset when it’s well-maintained, and much of its structure relies on a faultless floor.
Concrete can easily crack and deteriorate if left unprotected, and you’ll have to rely on a quality sealant to shield it from moisture, chemicals, and other damaging agents. But although your garage floor coating is essential for maintaining your concrete, it needs just as much care and attention to keep it from wearing out.
Depending on what type of garage floor coating you use, you’ll have to follow a particular maintenance routine. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to keep your concrete floor coating performing as long as possible.
How to Maintain a Polyurea Garage Floor Coating
Polyurea is only going to grow in popularity as more people realize its advantages over epoxy and other coatings for garage floors. It’s a cost-effective and extremely durable option that resists most liquids, impacts, and the wear of everyday use.
Despite its durability, polyurea is not permanent, and it will require either extra care or regular replacement if it’s subjected to large amounts of abuse and heavy traffic. Follow these tips for keeping your polyurea floor in premium condition.
Mop Weekly
Dirt and dust not only look bad but can also get embedded in your garage floor coating and scratch the surface. If you have a smooth top layer, use a soft microfiber dust mop for weekly cleaning. For a more textured, flecked surface, use a soft-bristle push broom to prevent scratches.
Use Ammonia to Clean
Although it can withstand harsh chemicals and soaps much better than epoxy, you need to be careful about what you use to clean polyurea garage floors. Soap can still leave a slippery surface if it isn’t rinsed thoroughly, and the hazy sheen will take away from the looks.
Polyurea is known for its exceptional chemical resistance. But certain abrasive chemicals and acidic solutions like vinegar can still speed up the wear on the floor coating. It’s best to go with a neutral pH floor cleaner and avoid any treatments like waxes.
For proper garage floor maintenance, try using a diluted ammonia-based cleaner with 2-3 oz. of ammonia per gallon of hot water. Use a hard foam mop to clean a heavily soiled floor.
Spot Clean Spills Immediately
A polyurea garage floor coating is an excellent moisture barrier for your concrete. Unlike epoxy, polyurea can resist breakdown from chemicals, cleaners, gas, and oil spills for long periods.
Still, if left to sit for long, abrasive materials will eventually wear down a polyurea coating. To save yourself from the aggravation of a short-lived garage floor, clean any liquid spills as you find them.
The Maintenance Advantages of Polyurea
When comparing epoxy vs. polyurea, it’s mostly a look at how the benefits of polyurea are enhancements of what makes epoxy so popular. It’s more durable against abrasion, and it’s less prone to damage and discoloration from chemicals and UV light. As a result, maintenance is easier and a much less frequent need than a standard garage floor coating.
For more information on how you can get the best look, feel, and function with a polyurea floor coating, call our experts at Garage Force San Antonio.