Most of us take concrete for granted. We walk or drive on it every day, and many people spend much of their lives working in concrete buildings that feel formidable and safe in almost every way possible.
For the people who own those buildings, it’s a very different story. They need to maintain their concrete buildings according to specified standards.
Keeping concrete clean using industrial concrete wash is an essential part of the process. There’s a lot involved in this cleaning process, though, so let’s take a closer look at what’s involved.
Why Industrial Concrete Wash is Important?
Appearances matter. Having a business that’s housed in a clean, well-maintained concrete building creates a good impression and helps build customer confidence.
But there’s more to it than that! The cleanliness of a concrete facility can affect product quality, making cleaning essential to keep equipment operating properly.
Employee safety and environmental impact come into play in the equation, too. A clean concrete building helps maintain and improve employee health. An environmentally sound and clean facility can also help keep the air clean and prevent pollutants from escaping and leaching into the groundwater.
What Industries Use Industrial Concrete Wash?
The range of industries that rely on industrial concrete wash is surprising, to say the least. Manufacturing and automotive facilities are two of the obvious ones, especially when repairs are conducted.
Here are a few others:
- Warehouses: Many warehouses have concrete floors, and keeping them clean and pristine is essential. Industrial concrete wash helps to get the job done right.
- Food Processing: Few industries rely on cleanliness to the extent that food processing plants do, and these facilities are full of concrete that needs to be maintained. Industrial concrete wash is an essential ingredient in the cleaning process.
- Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities also rely on cleanliness to do the vital work involved in healing. Industrial concrete wash is rigorously applied on a regular basis to help keep them clean.
Key Surface Cleaning Ingredients in Industrial Concrete Wash
The specific requirements for industrial concrete wash vary depending on the industry and the type of contaminants that need to be removed. Proper cleaning methods, equipment, and cleaning solutions should be selected to meet the unique needs of each industry while adhering to safety and environmental regulations.
Here are some of the cleaning ingredients that are typically used in industrial concrete wash:
- Oxalic Acid: This ingredient provides excellent performance in rust removal and other cleaning processes where similar chemical issues are involved.
- Citric Acid: Homeowners who have a concrete driveway or a wooden deck know all about the effectiveness of citric acid, but it’s just as useful in other industries, too.
- Sodium Hypochlorite: This is often used in many industrial concrete wash products to disinfect and remove stains.
- Glycolic Acid: This is a preferred ingredient in concrete cleaners because it gives users essential cleaning capabilities, the necessary acidity for certain tasks, and the power to handle chemical reactions involving metal in some concrete cleaning applications.
How to Use Industrial Concrete Wash for Concrete Cleaning?
The steps involved in using industrial concrete wash are very precise. Safety is essential, and that means taking inventory of all personal protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and protective clothing.
Clearing the area to be cleaned is also very important. It is vital to know where hazardous chemicals and materials are present during the cleaning process at all times.
The actual cleaning process starts with removing loose dirt, debris, or obstructions from the surface to be cleaned. Compressed air can be used to do this in certain applications, but in many others, a simple brush or broom will do the trick.
Choosing the Correct Concrete Cleaning Method
This is the most important step in the process aside from safety. Sometimes, it’s difficult to know the right method until the surface has been cleared.
After that, a series of choices are available:
- Pressure wash
- Steam cleaning
- Chemical cleaning
- Mechanical scrubbing
Applying Cleaning Agents
This must be done using the manufacturer’s recommendations and following them closely. Agitation may be necessary to loosen contaminants.
If pressure washing is part of the process, make sure to select the right pressure settings and nozzle types. Work through the surface area carefully, applying cleaning agents as you go.
Rinsing is essential as well. This will remove any residual cleaning agents. Wastewater must be properly disposed of or collected for treatment if it contains hazardous substances. Industrial fans may be employed as part of the follow-up process, and inspection is necessary to determine if touch-up work is required.
Sealants or coatings may be applied as part of the maintenance process when cleaning is finished. It’s important to keep the cleaning process documented, including dates, chemicals, equipment, cleaning agents used, and any problems or issues that were observed during the cleaning.
How to Find the Best Industrial Concrete Wash Products?
To find the best possible products, it’s important to determine your needs, and then measure them against any compliance requirements and environmental issues that may be involved. Equipment and resources should be carefully inventoried to make sure you have what you need in the right quantities.
After that, break down the different industrial concrete wash products available. Categorize them according to different needs, then match the products to yours.
Reviews and recommendations are part of the process as well, but in many instances, the products to be used will be dictated at least in part by compliance regulations and environmental laws.
Evaluating cost and performance factors is the final step in the process. In addition, it’s a good idea to check out the availability of samples from different manufacturers to test the products and find out which one yields the best results.
Syntec Provides a Wide Array of Industrial Concrete Wash Products
Syntec industrial concrete wash offerings are just one of the family of products offered by Synthetic Laboratories, Inc. So, if you have an industrial cleaning task, we have a solution that will meet all your cleaning needs. Check out our brands and products, you can also reach us by phone at 978-957-2919 or via email at sales@syntecpro.com. Contact us today!
