As long as it’s poured right, concrete is tough and long-lasting. But even a well-done concrete flooring isn’t completely resilient. In addition to some minor cracking, concrete is susceptible to stains and discoloration.

After all, concrete is a porous material. Liquids can infiltrate the surface, and if they’re not dealt with, they can leave stains behind. Even finished and sealed concrete floors aren’t impervious to spills, stains, and discoloration. Let’s take a look at what typically causes stains and discoloration in concrete so you can better protect against them.

Causing of Concrete Stains and Discoloration

Uneven coloring and an overall patchy appearance can be a sign of a bad concrete job. Usually, this results from uneven moisture and consistency in the concrete itself. If this is the case, it will appear shortly after the concrete has hardened and settled.

If the concrete was poured correctly, it’s still susceptible to stains. Common causes of unwanted concrete stains includes motor oil, grease, and gasoline. If you spill any chemicals on your concrete, make sure to clean them up immediately. Some soap and a good scrub brush or sponge should do the trick.

Once it penetrates the surface and dries, it will be much harder to clean.

While sealed concrete is resistant to moisture, it doesn’t keep it out completely. Should you spill something on a sealed concrete floor, you’ll have more time to clean it, and the cleanup will be easier. However, if you leave it unchecked, it will likely seep through and stain the floor beneath.

Concrete is also susceptible to discoloration from the sun or other direct UV light. Even coated concrete floors will suffer from yellowing overtime. While certain additives can combat this, they might not completely prevent it from happening. Ultimately, sun exposure should be taken into consideration when looking at finishing options for your concrete floor.

Protecting Concrete and Preventing Stains

As we said before, sealing your concrete can help make it resistant to moisture and stains. Though some maintenance and cleaning is still required, it’s much simpler to upkeep than bare concrete. Best of all, you can expect your floor to look better longer.

Adding some concrete stain can also help further hide blemishes while improving the appearance.

If you’re interested in making the most of your concrete floor, talk to a professional flooring contractor to learn more about your options. Even when using a professional, concrete finishing is surprisingly affordable.

For a professional concrete sealer in Ohio, contact Select Flooring Systems today!