What can we help you with?
Technical flooring, delivered directly
- ESD flooring, urethane cement, terrazzo, and polished concrete
- In-house W-2 installation crews and experienced field leadership
- National service coverage with project-specific staffing plans
- Testing, documentation, and defined project closeout
- Dedicated support for corporate procurement and multi-site contracting
Phone: +1 (844) 687-1961
Identify the installed system first
The right cleaner, pad or brush depends on the products installed on your polished concrete floor. Equipment suitable for one system may be inappropriate for another.
At Craftsman Concrete, we coordinate care information for the installed floor as part of project closeout. Use the cleaning products, equipment and procedures identified in your project’s closeout documentation.
Before choosing a cleaner or changing equipment, review the installed-product information and maintenance instructions in your closeout documentation.
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Concrete treatment | The densifier and any protective treatment installed |
| Cleaning product | The recommended cleaner and dilution |
| Pad or brush | The type permitted for the installed system |
| Machine settings | Applicable pressure, speed and operating instructions |
| Intended task | Whether the work is routine cleaning, treatment renewal or restoration |
Do not select a pad or brush solely because it is marketed for concrete. Its suitability needs to match the installed treatment and the work being performed.
Our polished concrete closeout guide explains the records that should remain available to the maintenance team.
Match instructions to the system and task
Brush, pad and cleaner guidance written for one system or task may not suit another. Manufacturer guides differ on brushes, a product suited to restoration is not automatically suited to daily cleaning, and installation instructions do not replace a maintenance plan. For a Craftsman installation, the starting point is the care instructions in your closeout documentation.
Why brush recommendations can differ
Manufacturer guidance does not provide one universal brush rule for every polished concrete floor.
Ameripolish’s maintenance guide prohibits brushes of any kind for the floors addressed by that guide. Curecrete’s cleaning plan, by contrast, recommends nylon brushes during one stage of maintenance and polypropylene or stiff-poly brushes after the sheen develops.
These instructions apply to different systems. Neither should be extended to every polished concrete floor.
For a Craftsman installation, start with the care instructions provided in your closeout documentation. Confirm the suitability of replacement products or equipment before using them across the floor.
Keep routine cleaning separate from restoration
A product’s suitability for restoration does not establish that it is appropriate for daily cleaning.
For example, Ameripolish’s guide prohibits steel wool and diamond-impregnated pads for cleaning. That instruction does not establish a prohibition on diamond tooling used for restoration or refinishing.
Likewise, burnishing instructions for a newly applied protective treatment are not automatically a routine cleaning procedure. Product dry time, equipment and pad selection belong to the specific treatment and task.
Our polished concrete stain-guard guide explains protective treatments and their renewal.
Do not substitute installation instructions for a maintenance plan
Construction cleanup, installation burnishing and ongoing maintenance serve different purposes.
ACI SPEC-310.1-20 includes construction-phase cleanup and installation burnishing requirements. Its pad provisions address suitability for particular work; they do not establish a universal cleaner, pad or brush for every installed floor.
The maintenance team needs the system-specific care instructions provided in the closeout documentation, not just a copy of the installation specification.
When the instructions are missing or unclear
Before changing the cleaning process, gather the available closeout documentation and identify what is currently being used:
- Cleaner name and dilution.
- Pad or brush type.
- Cleaning machine and settings.
- Cleaning frequency.
- Photographs of the floor and any change in appearance.
If your polished concrete floors have dulled in high-traffic areas or are showing signs of wear, contact Craftsman Concrete. We can assess the surface and determine whether it needs a change in cleaning practices, renewal of the protective treatment or professional restoration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the installed system. Some manufacturer maintenance guides prohibit brushes, while others specify them. Follow the maintenance instructions provided in your project’s closeout documentation.
Not universally. Ameripolish’s maintenance guide prohibits diamond-impregnated pads for cleaning within its scope. A pad used for restoration or refinishing should not automatically be adopted for routine maintenance.
No. Treatments and care requirements differ. Follow the cleaning plan provided in your project’s closeout documentation.
Check the installed-product records in your closeout documentation. If those records are missing or unclear, contact Craftsman with the project details before changing products or equipment.
Polished Concrete Knowledge Center
Resource links
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