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Cleaning and Sealing CASTinTACT
®
Concrete Tactile Warning Panels
A Maintenance and Protection Guide
For more information please visit:
CAST inTACT .com
When properly installed, CASTinTACT
®
concrete tactile warning panels
have low maintenance and provide an attractive finish.
Under foot traffic,
CASTinTACT
®
become exposed to dirt, stains and wear. This is common
to all pavements. This technical bulletin addresses various steps to insure
the beauty of CASTinTACT
®
and to help restore their original appearance.
These steps include removing stains, cleaning and sealing.
Stains on specific areas should be removed first. A cleaner should then be
used to remove any efflorescence and dirt from the entire panel. A newly
cleaned concrete can be an opportune time to seal it. In order to achieve
maximum results, use stain removers, cleaners, and sealers specifically for
colored concrete panels. These may be purchased from Masons Supply
or other reputable dealers.
Removing Stains
Commercial stain removers available specifically for colored concrete
provide a high degree of certainty in removing stains. Many kinds of stains
can be removed while minimizing the risk of discoloring or damaging
the panels. The container label often provides a list of stains that can be
removed. If there are questions, Masons Supply should be contacted
for help with determining the effectiveness of the chemical in removing
specific stains.
Identify the stains prior to applying the cleaner. A test application should be
evaluated in a small inconspicuous stained area for cleaning effectiveness.
Some stains may require repeated applications of the remover to achieve
effective cleaning. This is often the case for deep set oil stains. Make sure
that the cleaners will not remove or damage the CASTinTACT
®
panel.
With all stain removers, cleaners and sealers, the label directions and
warnings should be read and carefully followed for all precautions, and
for first aid.
Start removal of stains at the bottom of the panel and work up the slope
in manageable sections. By working up the slope, cleaning fluids will
drain down the pavement. This technique assists in uniform removal while
allowing the used cleaner to be rinsed away consistently.
Take care in selecting and applying cleaning products, as acidic ones
may harm vegetation and grass. These cleaners should not run onto
vegetation. When using strong acidic stain removers or cleaners that
might drain onto vegetation, spread some agricultural lime on the ground
around the perimeter of the concrete. This will help neutralize the cleaner
and reduce the potential for damage to grass and/or vegetation. After
cleaning, remove the lime from the vegetated ground in these areas.
Removal of Common Stains
There are proprietary cleaning products specifically designed for
colored concrete panels. Many have been developed through
extensive laboratory and field testing to ensure cleaning effectiveness.
Using manufactured cleaning chemicals for specific stains relieves the
user from the uncertainty of attaining the proper mixture of chemicals.
These chemicals should be used whenever possible. If no proprietary stain
removal products are available, a comprehensive source of information on
stain removal is a 28 page booklet entitled Removing Stains fromConcrete
by William H. Kuenning. It describes chemicals, detergents or poultice
(scrubbing) materials recommended for removing particular stains, and
the steps to be followed in removal. Make sure that the cleaners will not
remove or damage the CASTinTACT
®
panel. This publication recognizes
that some of the treatments involve hazardous chemicals and it advises
specific precautions.
Masons Supply disclaims any and all responsibility
for the application of the information. The user is advised to use cleaners
specifically made to remove stains that commonly occur on colored
concrete. They will likely be more effective.
Proprietary Stain Removers
Asphalt and emulsified asphalt |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Cutback asphalt and roofing tar |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Blood, candy, ketchup, mustard, grease drippings from food |
MASCOCITRI-CLEAN
Caulking |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Chewing gum |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Clay soil |
DEIDRICH 202V
Creosote |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Leaf, wood rot, or tobacco stains |
DEIDRICH 202V
Mortar |
DEIDRICH 202V
Smoke |
DEIDRICH 202V
Oil or grease that has penetrated |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Dried paint |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Tire skid marks |
MASCO CITRI-CLEAN
Overall Cleaning
Overall cleaning of the panel can start after stains are removed. In
preparation for cleaning, low tree branches, shrubs and vegetation
adjacent to the pavement should be tied back or covered to protect from
overspray of cleaning solutions or sealers. The area should be inspected
for any cracked or broken units. These should be replaced. Badly stained
units can be replaced, but it is usually easier to clean stains and less costly
than replacing the panels.
When panels have stains too difficult to remove, replace them with
the same type of units. If panels must be replaced, there may be a
difference in color from the surrounding panels. This variation should
eventually disappear. If color variation is unacceptable, controlled use
of proprietary cleaners designed to improve the color of concrete panels can
minimize variation.
Removal of accumulateddirt and efflorescence is the objective of cleaning.
It is essential in preparing the panels for sealing as well. Many cleaners
effective in removingdirt andefflorescenceareamix of detergent andacid.
Cleaners with strong acids will change the color of the panels slightly.
JAN 2010
-16-